N4.4 billion National Assembly Budgeted Funds Missing–SERAP

N4.4 billion National Assembly budgeted funds may have been stolen

OpenLife Nigeria reports that about N4.4 billion National Assembly budgeted funds cannot be accounted for.
The money may be missing, stolen or misappropriated.
This is the kernel of a letter from Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), addressed to Dr Ahmad Lawan, Senate President, National Assembly
and Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of House of Representatives.
The letter signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP Deputy Director and
dated 30 January 2021, specifically requested the two presiding officers of the National Assembly to probe the unaccounted N4.4 billion National Assembly budgeted funds.
The letter titled: Request to probe and to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies es Commission (EFCC) allegations that N4.4bn of public funds budgeted for the National Assembly are missing, mismanaged, diverted or stolen” and cited by OpenLife Nigeria is reproduced below unedited

“Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) is writing to request you to use your good offices and leadership positions to urgently probe and refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies allegations that N4.4 billion of public funds budgeted for the National Assembly are missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen, as documented in three audited reports by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

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 is a non-profit, nonpartisan, legal and advocacy organization devoted to promoting transparency, accountability and respect for socio-economic rights in Nigeria. SERAP received the Wole Soyinka Anti-Corruption Defender Award in 2014, and was nominated for the UN Civil Society Award and Ford Foundation’s Jubilee Transparency Award. SERAP serves as one of two Sub-Saharan African civil society representatives on the governing Committee of the UNCAC Coalition, a global anti-corruption network of over 380 civil society organizations (CSOs) in over 100 countries.

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 Accounts also reveals that N673,081,242.14 was reportedly 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.

The Auditor-General also noted in his 2018 report that the Institute 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.

The Auditor-General also 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 National Assembly Budget and Research Office reportedly spent N66,303,411.70 as out-of-pocket expenses without any documents. Similarly, 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.

In 2015, the Institute also 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.

SERAP is concerned 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.

Any failure to promptly, thoroughly and independently investigate these serious allegations of corruption, mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds, 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.

These allegations if not satisfactorily addressed 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.

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.

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 as to the steps being taken in this direction, the Registered Trustees of 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.

Please accept the expression of our highest consideration. Thanking you in advance of your urgent attention to the matter.”