The ongoing probe of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria has revealed a tumultuous development raising questions about financial impropriety. The latest controversy involves a request for the release of N585 million by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, which was not released by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).
AGF Oluwatoyin Madein, the accountant general of the federation, clarified that while her office did receive the N585 million request from the Ministry, the funds were not released. She emphasized that the OAGF, as a standard procedure, does not make payments on behalf of government agencies. Instead, allocations are disbursed to self-accounting Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in accordance with the budget, with the responsibility for implementation and payments resting on the respective MDAs.
In response to media reports and amidst the allegations, Madein reinstated her commitment to upholding accountability and transparency in public financial management. She also advised MDAs to adhere to established payment procedures, emphasizing the need for payments to be made through verified bank accounts to beneficiaries, rather than bulk payments or individual accounts under the guise of “project accountants.”
The recent revelations come in the wake of the suspension and investigation of Halima Shehu, the national coordinator of the National Social Investment Program Agency (NSIPA), over alleged financial impropriety involving approximately N30 billion. Shehu allegedly implicated Minister Betta Edu, alleging that Edu had misappropriated N585 million by transferring the sum to a private bank account.
In a letter leaked to the public, Edu had requested the AGF to transfer the N585 million to a private bank account belonging to one Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, purportedly the project accountant for the Grants for Vulnerable Groups (GVG) scheme. Edu defended the transfer, stating that it followed due process and was intended as grants for vulnerable groups.
As the inquiry unfolds, the revelations underscore the critical need for financial transparency and stringent adherence to established financial protocols within government agencies in Nigeria.
This contentious matter has not only raised concerns about the utilization of public funds but has also ignited a debate on the proper channels for disbursement, underscoring the importance of ensuring airtight financial controls and oversight to prevent the misuse of public funds.
The unfolding saga serves as a stark reminder of the indispensable role of transparency and accountability in managing public finances, and the imperative need for stringent oversight of government expenditure in Nigeria.
