NASS: SERAP seeks probe of alleged missing funds
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President Dr Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila to probe the alleged N4.4 billion missing National Assembly (NASS) funds.
SERAP urged the NASS leadership to “use their good offices to urgently probe and refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies allegations that N4.4 billion of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen, as documented in three audited reports by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.”
In the open letter dated 30 January 2021 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “By exercising strong and effective leadership in this matter, the National Assembly can show Nigerians that the legislative body is a proper and accountable watchdog that represents and protects the public interest, and is able to hold both itself and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to account in the management of public resources.
“If not satisfactorily addressed, these allegations would also undermine public confidence in the ability of the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional and oversight responsibilities to prevent and combat corruption, and to ensure the public interest, transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.”
BREAKING: We’ve asked @DrAhmadLawan @femigbaja
to urgently probe and refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies allegations that N4.4bn of public money budgeted for @nassnigeria is missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen, as documented in 3 reports by the auditor-general— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) January 31, 2021
SERAP expressed concern that the allegations of corruption, mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds 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.
“Any failure to promptly, thoroughly and independently investigate these serious allegations, prosecute suspected perpetrators, and recover missing public funds and assets would undermine public trust in the ability of the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure probity, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.”
SERAP gave the National Assembly notice of 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of its letter within which to indicate the measures being taken to address the allegations and to implement the proposed recommendations.
It said the organisation shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel the leadership of the National Assembly to implement the recommendations in the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability in the National Assembly if did not hear from the National Assembly within the period.
“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the country’s international obligations including under the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. Nigeria has ratified both treaties.” SERAP added.
The letter is copied to Mr Abubakar Malami SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); and Mr Mohammed Abba, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Zainab Sa’id
