The House of Representatives has indicted 31 federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over financial infractions totaling over N103.8 billion and $950,912.05, based on findings from the Auditor-General’s Reports for 2019 and 2020.
Following the adoption of the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) recommendations during Tuesday’s plenary, lawmakers directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to recover the funds and ensure remittance into the federation account.
The motion, sponsored by Rep. Bamidele Salam, highlighted “massive internal control failures, unauthorised expenditures, and procurement violations” uncovered across several MDAs. The review covered the Auditor-General’s Annual Reports for the years ending December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2020.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was faulted for unauthorised spending on a presidential lodge project at the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia. The Committee ordered the ministry to refund N124 million and $795,000, along with other questionable expenditures including N49.4 million paid for unapproved renovations and N9.2 million disbursed without supporting documents.
The Bank of Agriculture faced intense scrutiny over uncollected debts amounting to N75.6 billion. The House mandated the publication of debtors’ names in three national dailies and tasked the EFCC and ICPC with recovering the funds. An additional N350 million was to be recovered and reported within 90 days.
The Nigeria Correctional Service was directed to recover N7.47 million in unpaid withholding taxes, while the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) was instructed to retrieve 12 official vehicles—including eight taken to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment—and refund N12 million expended in violation of procurement laws.
Kwali Area Council in the FCT was flagged for disbursing N82 million to 105 unidentified persons. The former council chairman was ordered to recover the funds and provide evidence to the committee.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) was indicted over infractions totalling over N1.3 billion, including N394 million spent on unauthorised projects and N969 million illegally transferred to the Eurobond ledger.
The Veterinary Council of Nigeria must remit over N19 million in unremitted internally generated revenue and excess payments, while recovering N1.1 million in stamp duties from contractors.
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NCSL) was ordered to refund N1 billion, including N250 million misappropriated by contractors and staff, and N700 million in outstanding staff and trade debts.
