Falana, PDP, rights groups call for vigilance, speedy execution of investigation

President Bola Tinubu has directed that a thorough and comprehensive investigation be conducted on the alleged misappropriation of public funds by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to ascertain the accuracy and validity of the report.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, disclosed this in a statement he personally signed on Sunday. The minister acknowledged the concerns raised by the public regarding the alleged payment of funds into a private account by the Ministry.

According to the minister, the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Tinubu, is transparent and accountable to the people. He stressed that the government is committed to ensuring that public funds are allocated and utilized effectively and efficiently to address the needs of Nigerians.

“In light of recent events, the President has directed that a thorough and comprehensive investigation be conducted to ascertain the accuracy and validity of the reported details. The government is determined to unravel the truth as it relates to this matter, and assures that appropriate action will be taken to ensure that any breaches and infractions are identified and decisively punished, in line with the Administration’s commitment to public accountability and due process.

“The public is advised to note, against the backdrop of various unverified narratives circulating on the Internet, that the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, under the leadership of Minister Mohammed Idris, is the primary source for verified information about events and actions of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Only accurate details will be shared with the public. The Ministry is committed to providing timely updates to keep Nigerians informed about the progress of the investigation.”

ALREADY, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has called on EFCC to speed up investigation into the alleged N585.18 million fraud. He also urged recovery of the N37 billion vote for vulnerable people in the country.

Falana, in his reaction, yesterday, said there was no legal justification for the “criminal diversion of the said sum of N585.18 million for disbursement to vulnerable people in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos and Ogun states since the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has collated the individual bank accounts of all the vulnerable people.”

He noted that the minister had not denied that she gave approval for the payment of the over half a billion naira to a private account in contravention of the extant Public Service Rules, as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Act and the Penal Code applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.

The activist added: “Instead of apologising to the Federal Government and people of Nigeria and calling it quits for betraying the confidence reposed in her, the minister has arrogantly said that the N585.18 million fraud allegation is a mere fabrication by her detractors and an alleged attempt by mischief makers to undermine her ministry’s effort in fighting corruption and uplifting the needy.”

On its part, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded immediate disengagement and prosecution of the embattled minister. Its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, communicated the party’s position yesterday in Abuja.

He said the alleged fraud, which has just been exposed in the ministry, “is just a tip of the iceberg of the unprecedented treasury looting, unbridled stealing and plundering of resources going on in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, which has practically brought the nation’s economy to its knees.”

Ologunagba added: “Is it not tragic and heartbreaking that a minister entrusted with public funds to support millions of poor Nigerians, who have been impoverished by the APC, turned around to divert hundreds of millions of Naira meant for the wellbeing of the poor?”

HUMAN and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre has urged the Federal Government and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq.

The request followed her failure to honour an invitation by the antigraft agency. She had been invited for questioning over alleged N37.1 billion fraud. In a statement by HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the group stressed the need for a comprehensive investigation, adding that anyone found wanting should be prosecuted.

Referencing President Bola Tinubu’s earlier call for a thorough investigation into allegations of financial misconduct within the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), HEDA reckoned the importance of leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice.

Suraju recalled that his organisation had raised concerns about corruption during the last administration but were unaddressed. He said: “Similarly, we also requested for the breakdown of N535.8 million spent to feed school children during COVID-19 lockdown under the Freedom of Information Act, but the then minister, Farouq, refused to respond to the information sought, until the court was approached to seek order of mandamus compelling the minister to immediately release and made available to it all information and documents requested.

“In addition, an independent investigation and available information revealed that the so-called modified and implemented school feeding programme during the lockdown was a scam, cover-up and well-articulated fiction to embezzle public funds.”

Also, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) is seeking probe of the alleged payment by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu of N585.2 million meant for disbursement to vulnerable people in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun states into a private account.

The body implored the President to direct Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly and thoroughly investigate whether the money has been paid into any private account, and to identify and publish the name of the receiver.

The organisation said anyone suspected to be involved in any improper payment or diversion of public funds should be brought to justice, with the funds returned to public treasury and paid directly to rightful beneficiaries.

In a letter signed at the weekend by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said paying public funds into private accounts might create impression of cover-up.

Investigating the allegations and ensuring that public funds meant for good of the people, according to the group, would engender trust in governance.
Besides, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has appealed to President Tinubu to keep an eagle eye on spending of funds allocated to different poverty alleviation programmes in the country.

While speaking with newsmen yesterday in Osogbo, he noted that the passion of the President to alleviate poverty among the masses must not be allowed to be truncated by selfish individuals.

The politician said necessary strategy must be put in place to ensure that different poverty intervention programmes by the current administration have positive impacts on the lives of the less privileged Nigerians.

“We have a President that is monitoring everything being done in his government, and that is why we have absolute trust him. We must encourage and support the President to keep eagle eye on these intervention programmes to prevent diversion.” Oyintiloye added.