Probe ‘missing N10bn NASS funds in 2019’, SERAP tells Lawan, Gbajabiamila
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President Dr Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of House of Representatives Mr Femi Gbajabiamila to “promptly probe and refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies fresh allegations that N10bn of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated or diverted.”
SERAP said: “The grim allegations that N10,051,283,568.82 of public money is missing are documented in the 2019 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.”
In the letter dated 11 December 2021 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Addressing the allegations would improve public confidence and trust in the ability of the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional and oversight responsibilities, and to adhere to the highest standards of integrity in the management of public funds.”
SERAP said: “Little can be achieved by the National Assembly in the fight against corruption if the leadership and members do not first confront the spectre of alleged corruption and mismanagement within their ranks.”
SERAP is also urging Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila: to “identify the lawmakers and staff members suspected to be involved, and hand them over to appropriate anti-corruption agencies to face prosecution, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and to ensure full recovery of any missing public funds.”
The letter, read in part: “As part of its legislative and oversight functions, the National Assembly has a key role to play in the fight against corruption in the country. But the National Assembly can only effectively perform its anti-corruption role if it can demonstrate exemplary leadership to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement involving the legislative body.”
“According to the Auditor-General Report for 2019, the House of Representatives paid N2,550,000,000.00 to members as running costs between July and December 2019, but failed to account for the money, contrary to paragraph 1011(i) of the Financial Regulations. There was no evidence to show what the funds were used for, and no documents to back-up the spending.”
“The Auditor-General is concerned that the money may have been ‘diverted.’” He wants the money recovered.”
“The House of Representatives also reportedly paid N258,000,000 as cash advances to 59 officers between February and December 2019 but has failed to account for the money. The officers were paid the money despite the fact that they have not accounted for the previous cash advances.”
“The House of Representatives also reportedly paid N107,912,962.45 as repairs and maintenance allowance for unspecified residential quarters but failed to account for the money. The money spent was also in excess of the cash advances threshold of N200,000.00 as stipulated by the Financial Regulations.”
“These fresh allegations amount to fundamental breaches of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international obligations including under the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.”
“SERAP is concerned that allegations of corruption continue to undermine economic development, violate social justice, and destroy trust in economic, social, and political institutions. Nigerians bear the heavy economic and social costs of corruption. The National Assembly therefore has a responsibility to curb it.”
“Ensuring the effective investigation of these fresh allegations, and full recovery of any missing public funds would strengthen the country’s accountability framework, and show that the National Assembly can discharge its constitutional responsibility of amplifying the voices of Nigerians, and act in the best interest of the people.”
“We would be grateful if you would indicate the measures being taken to address the allegations and to implement the proposed recommendations, within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.”
“If we have not heard from you by then as to the steps being taken in this direction, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel the leadership of the National Assembly to implement these recommendations in the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability in the National Assembly.”
“The House of Representatives also reportedly collected N1,594,807,097.83 as PAYE, car and housing loans from 17 members between February and December 2019 but failed to show receipt of remittance to relevant revenue authorities. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.”
“The House of Representatives also reportedly paid N1,010,598,610.97I from salary account but without any document to show for the payment, contrary to paragraph 601 of the Financial Regulations. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.”
“The Senate reportedly collected N219,645,597.08 as housing loans from 107 senators’ salary arrears between July and December 2019 but failed to remit the money.”
“The Senate also reportedly recovered N123,320,916.72 being car loans to senators between July and December 2019, but there was no evidence that the money was remitted to the treasury. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted.”
“The Senate reportedly collected N176,267,255.31 as PAYE from staff salaries but there was no evidence that the money was remitted to the relevant tax authorities, contrary to paragraph 235 of the Financial Regulations. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted.”
“The Senate also reportedly collected N277,411,116.29 as Value Added Tax (VAT), and Withholding Tax (WHT) but failed to remit the money to the relevant tax authorities. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted.”
“The Senate reportedly paid N1,718,130,630.24 for the supply of vehicle and other office equipment between February and December 2019 but failed to account for the money, contrary to paragraph 110 of the Financial Regulations. The Auditor-General is concerned that the money may have been diverted.”
“The Senate also reportedly paid N657,757,969.05 for supply of motor vehicles, motor cycles and other office equipment between July and December 2019, but failed to show any document for the payment, contrary to paragraph 1705 of the Financial Regulations. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.”
“The Senate also reportedly paid N423,370,000.00 for the supply of utility vehicles and production of National Assembly Logo between August and November 2019 but without any documents. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.”
“The National Assembly Service Commission reportedly paid N31,927,760 as cash advances to 59 staff but failed to account for the money. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.”
“The National Assembly Service Commission also reportedly collected N276,749,014.68 as stamp duty from contractors and service providers but failed to remit the money to appropriate tax authorities.”
“According to the Auditor-General Report for 2018, the Nigerian Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies deducted N577,634,638,20 as taxes but failed to remit the money to the relevant tax authorities. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted.”
“The Nigerian Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies also reportedly spent N47,750,000.00 to buy residential building without due process, and contrary to Section 27 (1) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and Financial Regulation 301.”
“SERAP notes that the Auditor-General in the 2015, 2017 and 2018 reports documented that over N8bn of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated or diverted.”
The letter was copied to Mr Abukabar Malami, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); and chairmen of the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly.
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
12/12/2021
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202
AMCON : Appeal Court Grants Jimoh İbrahim 14 days Leave To File Appeal
The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has ruled that Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim be granted time to file his appeal within 14 days.
Ibrahim had brought before the court an application for extension of time to file his appeal.
The appellate court, therefore, granted his prayer, giving him 14 days within which he must file his appeal.
In his reaction to the ruling, Jimoh Ibrahim expressed happiness over the court’s ruling, assuring that the court ruling would be complied with promptly as he would file the appeal on Monday.
Ibrahim, in a statement he made available to the newsmen, alleged that the social media was wrongly communicated on the court’s decision by AMCON.
He, therefore, commended the court for granting him the extension.
AKPABIO, BLESSING TO NIGERIA – NIGER DELTA YOUTHS
- WARN DETRACTORS
Youths in the Niger Delta on Saturday lauded Senator Godswill Akpabio for launching the Strategic Implementation Work Plan (SIWP), describing the plan as a noble ideal and the most desirable objective in the region’s development policies.
‘’SIWP is one of the best things that have happened to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. It will ensure rapid development of the region’’
The youths in a statement in Port Harcourt applauded the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio for choosing the right method of putting the policies of the current administration into effect, respecting the opinions of the Niger Delta people and discarding the yoke of corruption.
‘’Senator Godswill Akpabio is a blessing to Nigeria. He is installing the culture of transparency and accountability in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The statement underscored Akpabio’s approach to the development of the Niger Delta region, a vision of what a great Niger Delta of the future should be and termination to the plundering of the national wealth through NDDC.
Signed by the Chairman of the Niger Delta Progressives Movement (NDPM), Mr Julius Ita, the youths described the pronouncements of Ijaw Interest Advocates and Niger Delta People’s Forum as ‘’irresponsible, parochial and sheer nonsense’’.
‘’Members of Izanzan Intellectual Camp and Niger Delta People’s Forum are blind to reason’’
The youths applauded Akpabio for inspiring the Niger Delta people, guiding the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) along a road accepted by the stakeholders and working increasingly in order to develop the region.
‘’Senator Godswill Akpabio deserves support and encouragement’’
The statement also emphasised Akpabio’s straightforwardness of purpose, integrity, dedication to the region’s development priorities, and outstanding job performance.
‘’Chief Godswill Akpabio is working closely with the stakeholders and doing what is right’’.
They urged President Muhammadu Buhari to reject the counsel of the Ovie of Idjerhe kingdom, IIA Coordinator, Arerebo Yerinmene and NDPF Chairman, Chief Boma Ebiakpo.
The youths also urged them to adopt the development principle of emphasising those things that are positive about the former governor of Akwa-Ibom State.
‘’Our goal is to set matters right. The Ovie of Idjerhe kingdom, IIA Coordinator, Arerebo Yerinmene and Chairman, Niger Delta People’s Forum, Chief Boma Ebiakpo are ignorant of what the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is doing. They are also putting back the hands of the clock of our progress’’