The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to initiate an investigation into the alleged disappearance of ₦57 billion in public funds within the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. According to SERAP, the funds were either “missing, diverted, or stolen” in 2021.
In a statement released on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged President Tinubu to instruct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, along with relevant anti-corruption agencies, to thoroughly investigate the claims.
The call follows the publication of the 2021 audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which flagged the missing funds.
SERAP emphasized the gravity of the allegations, describing them as a form of theft from the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.
“The allegations point to a serious breach of public trust, as well as violations of the Nigerian Constitution, anti-corruption laws, and international anti-corruption standards,” the statement noted.
SERAP has demanded that anyone found guilty be held accountable under the law, and that all misappropriated funds be fully recovered and returned to the national treasury.
The organization also expressed concern over the broader issue of corruption within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and other government agencies, which continues to affect poor Nigerians.
The 2021 audited report revealed that the ministry failed to account for over ₦54 billion (₦54,630,000,000.00), funds that were intended for monthly stipends for Batch C1 N-Power volunteers and non-graduate trainees from August to December 2021.
The funds were not paid directly to the intended beneficiaries, and the Auditor-General raised concerns that the money may have been diverted.
The report called for the recovery of the funds and sanctions against those responsible for the alleged diversion.
