SERAP Demand Probe Of Humanitarian Ministry’s ‘Missing’ N57billion

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate allegations of over N57bn in missing, diverted, or stolen public funds from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.

The group made the appeal in a letter dated November 23, 2024, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, following revelations contained in the 2021 audited

“The allegations amount to stealing from the poor. There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these grave allegations,” SERAP said.

The group urged Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and anti-corruption agencies to act swiftly, saying, “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 and remitted to the treasury.”

The 2021 Auditor-General’s report revealed several instances of financial mismanagement in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The report noted that N54.63bn allocated for stipends to Batch C1 N-Power volunteers and non-graduate trainees between August and December 2021 was not paid to beneficiaries.

It further disclosed that N2.6bn meant for the school feeding programme during the COVID-19 pandemic was allegedly paid to five contractors for projects that were never executed.

“The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted,” SERAP stated. “He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury. He also wants suspected perpetrators of the diversion to be sanctioned in line with the Financial Regulations.”

Other discrepancies cited include N78m purportedly spent on a COVID-19 response survey without proper approval or documentation, N39.5m reimbursed as “personal donations” to the minister, and N400m unaccounted for, which was intended for stipends to independent monitors.

Contractors also reportedly received N287m without justification or supporting documents.

“These damning revelations suggest a grave violation of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the country’s anti-corruption legislation, and international anti-corruption obligations,” SERAP noted.

SERAP linked these allegations to broader issues of financial misconduct across ministries, departments, and agencies.

It also highlighted a prior court judgment ordering the release of details regarding N729bn in public spending by former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.

In its letter, SERAP emphasised the need for accountability, stating, “The country’s wealth ought to be used solely for the benefit of the Nigerian people, and for the sake of present and future generations.”

The organization further urged Tinubu to “issue an immediate moratorium on borrowing by the Federal Government to ease Nigeria’s crippling debt crisis.”