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Probe missing N3.1bn in finance ministry, SERAP tells Buhari

Published

2 years ago

December 26, 2021

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has written to President Muhammadu Buhari demanding an immediate probe into allegations that over N3bn is missing or diverted from the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The group in a letter to the President asked him to “use his good offices to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate the matter.

It said the allegations were documented in the 2018 and 2019 annual audited reports by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

SERAP said, “Anyone suspected to be responsible should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any missing public funds should be fully recovered.”

The letter dated 24 December 2021 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, stated, “The reports suggest a grave violation of the public trust. As trustee of public funds, the Ministry of Finance ought to ensure strict compliance with transparency and accountability rules and regulations.”

SERAP said, “As a key agency of government, the ministry has a sacred duty to ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of the country’s resources. This implies providing strong leadership in the efforts to curb public sector corruption.

“This leadership is important for the Ministry to enjoy the public trust and confidence essential for its effectiveness and impact.”

SERAP also stated, “The allegations that N3,143,718,976.47 of public funds is missing will also clearly amount to a fundamental breach of national anti-corruption laws and the country’s international anti-corruption obligations including under the UN Convention Against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.”

The letter read in part, “Investigating and prosecuting the allegations, and recovering any missing public funds would improve the chances of success of your government’s oft-repeated commitment to fight corruption and end the impunity of perpetrators. It will also serve the public interest.

“According to the report of the Auditor-General for 2018, the Ministry of Finance spent N24,708,090.00 on pre-retirement training but without any document. The consultant hired also failed to quote any price as cost of the training but the Ministry paid N5,670,060.00 to the consultant. Request for payment from the consultant was dated 20 January 2017 while the first payment voucher in his favour was dated 13 January 2017 (7 days before his request).

“The ministry also reportedly failed to account for N2,885,772,493.27 released to the Ministry from the Service Wide Vote to take care of estacodes and other allowances for representing the Federal Government in meetings, and contribution to Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).”

“The money was spent without approval, and any documents. The Auditor-General is concerned that the money may have been mismanaged.”

“The ministry also reportedly awarded a contract on 17th May 2017 for N98,540,500.00 without any document, contrary to the Public Procurement Act. The project was not also budgeted for. There was no evidence of performance of the contract. The ministry also deducted N9,354,809.52 as WHT and VAT but without any evidence of remittance. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.

“The Ministry also reportedly spent N98,759,299.20 between January and December 2017 without any document, contrary to Financial Regulation 601.

“According to the 2019 report of the Auditor-General, the ministry paid N20,466,744.00 as cash advances to staff of ‘You-Win’ between 8 February and 18 December, 2018 but the Ministry has failed to retire the money.

“The advances were granted for the purchase of store items, repairs and other services that would have been made through the award of contract. Government lost N2,046,674.40 which would have accrued as taxes had these jobs been undertaken through award of contracts. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.”

“The ministry also reportedly paid N15,471,850.00 to two consultants for capacity building in Kano and Adamawa states but without any supporting document, contrary to paragraph 603 (1) of the Financial Regulations. The Auditor-General is concerned that the money may have been diverted, and wants it recovered.”

“SERAP notes that the consequences of corruption are felt by citizens on a daily basis. Corruption exposes them to additional costs, and undermines economic development of the country, trapping the majority of Nigerians in poverty and depriving them of employment opportunities.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

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Appeal court takes over NURTW case as NIC withdraws

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2024

Trends Admin

Appeal court takes over NURTW case as NIC withdraws

The National Industrial Court has withdrawn from a case involving Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, Board of Trustees chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa’s ambition to return as president of the union over lack of jurisdiction.

The industrial court’s decision was made to avoid conflict with the Court of Appeal, where the matter is already being heard.

Before the NIC announced its decision to hands-off the case, the defendants’ counsel, Mr. O.I. Olorundare SAN, had informed the court that the matter is currently before the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, and that the industrial court could not continue to adjudicate on the same matter.

The counsel cited authorities to support his claim, adding that the National Industrial Court does not have concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of Appeal.

The presiding judge, O.O. Oyewunmi, struck out the case, stating that the Appeal Court had taken over the matter and that the Industrial Court must respect the hierarchy of courts.

Alhaji Yasin and six others took the case to the Appeal Court, challenging the decision of the industrial court recognising a delegates’ conference held on May 24, 2023, where Baruwa was proclaimed as President of the union for a second term in office.

With the latest NIC judgement, both parties will now proceed to defend their positions at the Court of Appeal and await the final judgement.

Business

Multichoice shuns court order, proceeds with increase of DSTV, Gotv packages

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2024

Trends Admin

Multichoice shuns court order, proceeds with increase of DSTV, Gotv packages

Despite the intervention of the CCPT, Multichoice Limited has proceeded to increase packages price for DSTV and GOTV as announce on Wednesday last week.

Newstrends had earlier reported that the corporation announced that the new rates will go into effect on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in a statement.

Meanwhile, on Monday, MultiChoice Nigeria Limited was ordered by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja to suspend the planned prices and tariffs hike on packages and services.

Multichoice shuns court order, proceeds with increase of DSTV, Gotv packages

Business

As controversy over Maersk-FG port investment rages, Onanuga says no $600m deal signed

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2024

Trends Admin

As controversy over Maersk-FG port investment rages, Onanuga says no $600m deal signed

The Nigerian government and a shipping giant, Maersk, have not signed any investment agreement, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has said.
Onanuga was reacting to the controversy surrounding the reported sealing of a $600 million deal for the development of the nation’s seaports.
He said there was only talk “of possible investment in Nigeria” by Maersk.
Interestingly Onanuga had hinted about the deal in a tweet said to have been pulled down after the social media backlash.
After President Tinubu’s discussion with Maersk’s Chairman Robert Uggla on April 28, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the presidency had released a statement announcing that the shipping company had pledged to inject $600 million into the Nigerian seaport industry.
“Danish shipping company, A.P Moller-Maersk plans $600m investment in Nigeria. Danish shipping and logistics company A.P Moller-Maersk has disclosed a planned investment of $600 million in Nigeria to accommodate more container shipping services in Nigerian ports,” Onanuga wrote on X.
In a statement, Tinubu’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, also said “President Tinubu meets Chairman of Danish shipping giant Maersk, secures $600 million investment in Nigerian seaport infrastructure.” He quoted Uggla as saying, “We believe in Nigeria, and we will invest $600m in existing facilities and make the ports accommodating for bigger ships.”
In response to this. Maersk officials have denied any such agreement and stress no deals have been signed.
Onanuga in a new report by TheCable, an online news platform admitted no agreement on investment had been reached by the two parties.
“I think the statement issued by Maersk did not talk about a deal. There was no deal according to that statement that I read.
“However, there was talk of investment,” the special adviser said.
“No document or agreement was signed, so there was no deal. But there was talk of a possible investment in the country.
“So, go and read the statement again. They never said any deal was signed between the Nigerian government and the Dutch company. There was nothing like that.”
Onanuga however said the shipping company did not expressly deny that there was an investment talk.
He said people are “unnecessarily giddy over nothing.