The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken a decisive stand against perceived financial wrongdoing within the Nigerian government, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to initiate a thorough investigation.
The focal point of SERAP’s concern revolves around the alleged diversion of a significant sum, N585.2 million, earmarked for vulnerable populations in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun states, purportedly rerouted into a private account by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.
In a proactive move, SERAP has called upon the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, alongside relevant anti-corruption agencies, to promptly investigate and determine if the funds have indeed been funneled into a private account. The organization, in a letter dated January 6, 2024, signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation.
SERAP contends that the transfer of public funds into private accounts not only raises the specter of impropriety but also facilitates potential wrongdoing or diversion of funds intended for public benefit. The organization is steadfast in its demand that anyone implicated in such actions must face justice, and any diverted public funds should be returned to the public treasury for direct distribution to rightful beneficiaries.
Emphasizing the broader public interest in transparent and accountable spending of funds meant for vulnerable Nigerians, SERAP urges the government to comply with legal obligations and international standards. The organization warns that failure to investigate these allegations and recover any diverted funds would undermine the integrity of poverty intervention programs and erode public trust.
As the clock ticks, SERAP sets a seven-day deadline for the recommended measures to be implemented. Failure to respond within this timeframe, the organization states, will lead to appropriate legal actions to ensure compliance in the public interest. The call for a comprehensive investigation and swift action against financial impropriety is now echoing through the corridors of power, demanding accountability for the funds intended to uplift the most vulnerable in Nigerian society.
