The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate allegations of over N57 billion in missing, diverted, or stolen public funds from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.
In a letter dated November 23, 2024, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the president to look into the allegations highlighted in the 2021 Auditor-General’s report, describing the situation as a case of “stealing from the poor.”
“There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these grave allegations,” SERAP said. The group further requested that Tinubu direct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to act swiftly.
“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 group added.
The 2021 Auditor-General’s report uncovered several financial mismanagement issues within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
One of the major findings was that N54.63 billion allocated for stipends to Batch C1 N-Power volunteers and non-graduate trainees between August and December 2021 was not disbursed to the intended beneficiaries.
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Additionally, the report revealed that N2.6 billion allocated for the school feeding programme during the COVID-19 pandemic was allegedly paid to five contractors for projects that were never carried out.
“The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted,” SERAP stated, calling for the recovery of the funds and the sanctioning of those responsible.
Further discrepancies were noted, including N78 million spent on a COVID-19 response survey without proper approval or documentation, and N39.5 million reimbursed as “personal donations” to the minister.
In addition, N400 million intended for stipends to independent monitors was unaccounted for, while contractors reportedly received N287 million 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 emphasized.
The organization also linked the allegations to broader issues of financial misconduct across other ministries, departments, and agencies.
It further referenced a prior court judgment ordering the release of details regarding N729 billion in public spending under former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.
In its letter, SERAP stressed 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 group also urged Tinubu to “issue an immediate moratorium on borrowing by the Federal Government to ease Nigeria’s crippling debt crisis.”
