Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President Dr Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of House of Representatives Mr Femi Gbajabiamila 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.”

SERAP said: “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.”

SERAP expressed concern that “these 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.”

The letter, read in part: “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.”

“The Auditor-General noted in his 2015 report that the National Assembly account was spent N8,800,000.00 as unauthorised overdraft, contrary to Financial Regulations 710. The National Assembly also reportedly spent N115,947,016.00 without any documents. Another N158,193,066.00 spent as cash advances to 17 staff between January and June 2015 is yet to be retired.”

“The Senate reportedly spent N186,866,183.42 to organise Senate Retreat and Pre-Valedictory Session for the 7th Senate, although the money was meant to pay vehicle loan. The Senate also reportedly spent N15,964,193.63 as bank charges between July and December, 2015, contrary to Financial Regulations 734.”

“The House of Representatives also reportedly spent N624,377,503.30 to buy 48 Utility Vehicles. However, 14 vehicles were not supplied. The House also failed to make the 34 vehicles supplied available for verification. Similarly, the House spent N499,666,666.00 as cash advances to staff to carry out various assignments but has failed to retire the money.”

“The House of Representatives also reportedly paid N70,560,000.00 as overtime and ‘special’ allowances to officials who are not legislative aides between November and December 2015 without any authority.”

“The National Assembly Service Commission reportedly failed to remit N30,130,794.10 deducted from the salaries of the Executive Chairman and the Commissioners as car loan.”

“The National Assembly Budget and Research Office reportedly spent N66,303,411.70 as out-of-pocket expenses without any documents. The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies paid N246,256,060.51 by cheques, despite the prohibition of payments by cheque by the Federal Government, except in extreme cases, and contrary to Financial Regulation 631.”

“According to the Auditor-General Report for 2017, the House of Representatives reportedly spent ₦95,212,250.00 without due process and without any documents. The National Assembly Management Account also reveals that N673,081,242.14 was spent between April and October 2017 without any documents. The Auditor-General reported that the funds may have been misappropriated.”

“The Senate Account also reportedly shows that ₦1,364,816,397.95 was spent on store items without any documents to show for the spending. The Auditor-General stated that his office was denied access to the store and to the Senate’s records.”

“The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies also reportedly failed to remit ₦2,181,696.50 from contract of goods and services. The Institute also paid ₦67,296,478.00 without any payment vouchers.”

“We would be grateful if you would indicate the measures being taken to address the allegations and to implement the proposed recommendations, within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel the leadership of the National Assembly to implement these recommendations in the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability in the National Assembly.”

“The Auditor-General also noted in his 2018 report that the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies failed to remit N577,634,638,20 due from contracts and supplies, even though the deductions were made. However, the Institute claimed that it was the National Assembly that was required to remit the money, as it is the body that maintains the account on behalf of the Institute.”

“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.”

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 Moham

med Abba, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

https://serap-nigeria.org/2021/01/31/serap-writes-lawan-gbajabiamila-seeks-probe-of-missing-n4-4bn-nass-funds/

As usual nothing will come out of it. Our politicians don't need any group writing them for them to do what they're supposed to do if truly they are serious about fighting corruption. They all know who and who shared the money and which bank account the money was kept. Let's stop deceiving ourselves in this country abeg

The way money dey lost for this country eh

I wont be surprise if we wake up on day and the have

sold the country.. sad

So money still dey lost under the administration of this incorruptible anti corruption tzar. What ever happened to their famous 'body language'?

Naija youths shine ur eyes wella let 2023 not be a continuation of our current suffering and smiling.

Pesin way get one bar no dey use im phone play game.

The Money is somewhere in a foreign account, APC have done more harm in 6 years than 16 years of PDP

Youth Democratic Party please lets do something In 2023

The more you look, the less you see

Lawan,Gbaja ? Waste of time.Best bet is to flush all of these worthless thieves to the sewage com 2023.

Ofcz

Buhari Administration is CURSED and so as BMC.

How the money miss this time, same snake or rat stories?
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Okay

Them go tell us dey use the money buy biro, staple, sharpener,etc.

This is the worst corrupt administration ever...


Corruption everywhere...

First in Africa

...

na mosquito swallow d money ooo

I sure say no be them thief am?

How

dead on arrival...all of uwna na ole for ds country

Nawa,this is why is not good to promise what u can't keep ,When buhari goons where jumping everywhere in 2015 that the president is going to fight corruption ,I laughed cos I know that with the set of politicians and public sector we have ,NO one can be able to fight any corruption ,they will even steal under your nose ,u wont notice it ...the corruption in this country is systematic only when we build strong institutions of public interest ,will we be able to fight corruption...if not even an angel from heaven will not be able to do it,but that doesn't mean that buhari is free either

What an allegation against N.A,

We're tired of this drama called Nigeria

Hmmm

Hmmm

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SERAP OR WHATEVER YOU CALL YOURSELF ARE YOU STUPID YOU ARE TELLING A THIEF TO PROBE WHAT HE AND HIS DEN OF THIEVES STOLE LOL FUNNY BUNCH

Hmmmm

You are writing to a rubber stamp corrupt men,to help probe a corruption case