By Olusegun Olanrewaju
A probity group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to ‘promptly probe allegations that N10bn of public money budgeted for the National Assembly are missing, misappropriated, or diverted.
SERAP’s Deputy Director/Counsel, Kolawole Oluwadare, said there are ‘grim allegations’ that N10,051,283,568.82 of public money was missing and documented in the 2019 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.
In the letter dated December 11, 2021, the group 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.”
The group is also urging Lawan and 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,” SERAP said.
It added, “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 even though 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 more than 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.
Ekiti govt. not owing doctors – Ministry
SERAP also added, “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 letter was copied to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abukabar Malami, SAN; Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman, Economic, and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Abdulrasheed Bawa, and chairmen of the Public Accounts Committees (PAC) of the National Assembly.
