The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to launch an investigation into the alleged mismanagement, diversion, or theft of ₦57 billion in public funds from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP called on the President to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and relevant anti-corruption agencies to probe the allegations, which are based on the 2021 audited report recently released by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
“The allegations amount to stealing from the poor. There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these grave allegations,” the group stated.
SERAP highlighted that the allegations indicate serious breaches of public trust, contraventions of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), violations of anti-corruption laws, and breaches of international obligations against corruption.
The statement revealed that the Office of the Auditor-General reported over ₦54 billion unaccounted for by the ministry in 2021. The funds, allocated for monthly stipends for Batch C1 N-Power volunteers and non-graduate trainees between August and December 2021, were allegedly not paid directly to beneficiaries.
“The Auditor-General raised concerns that the money ‘may have been diverted.’ He recommended that the funds be recovered and remitted to the treasury and that those responsible be sanctioned in line with Financial Regulations,” the statement added.
SERAP demanded that anyone found culpable be prosecuted and the missing funds recovered.
“The allegations underscore the ongoing cost of corruption to ordinary Nigerians, particularly the poor. Widespread and grand corruption in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies has caused immeasurable suffering,” the group noted, adding that similar issues involving hundreds of billions of naira have also been reported in other government institutions.
SERAP concluded by reiterating its call for transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law to ensure public funds are used for their intended purposes.
