The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate the alleged disappearance of ₦57 billion from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.
SERAP made the appeal in a statement on Sunday through its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare. The group urged Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and anti-corruption agencies to investigate the allegations.
Referring to the 2021 audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, the statement highlighted concerns over the alleged diversion of ₦54.63 billion intended for stipends for Batch C1 N-Power volunteers and non-graduate trainees.
“The allegations amount to stealing from the poor. There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these grave allegations,” SERAP stated.
The report suggested that the funds were not directly paid to beneficiaries and may have been diverted. The Auditor-General has recommended recovering the money, remitting it to the treasury, and sanctioning those involved.
SERAP demanded that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing face the law. “Any missing public funds should be fully recovered and remitted to the treasury,” the group added.
The organization also expressed concern about the impact of corruption on poor Nigerians. “Poor citizens continue to pay the price for widespread corruption in the ministry and other government agencies,” SERAP noted.
They further emphasized the need to restore public trust, uphold constitutional and anti-corruption laws, and fulfill Nigeria’s international obligations to combat corruption.
