Connect with us

News and Report

Audit Probe: Reps panel recommends arrest of Emefiele, Kyari, 52 other heads of MDAs

Published

2 years ago

on

The Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives has recommended the arrest of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and 53 other heads of federal government agencies for shunning the invitation to the audit report investigation carried out by the committee.

This was contained in a report submitted to the House at plenary by the Chairperson of the Committee, Oluwole Oke (PDP, Osun) on Thursday.

The report is titled “Deliberate and Reckless Refusal by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government to render Audited Accounts for the periods 2014–2018 and 2019–2021 to the Auditor–General of the Federation.”

Apart from the CBN, other agencies listed are the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

The Public Account Committee is a creation of the constitution, and it is saddled with the responsibility of investigating the report of the Auditor-General for the Federation.

The committee, which is usually headed by opposition lawmakers, sits regularly to consider reports before it.

The committee recommended Mr Emefiele and others for arrest as the chief accounting officers of their organisations.

The committee, in the report, stated that the arrest warrants will “compel their appearance to respond to the matter within a week in line with section 89 (d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.”

The report also recommended sanctions against some institutions for delays and non-rendition of their audited accounts to the Auditor-General’s office.

The agencies include the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, the University of Jos, the University of Ilorin, the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia and the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

Others are Federal University, Gusau, Husseini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Federal College of Education, Asaba, Federal College of Education, Obudu and University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

Federal Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, National Medical Research, Lagos, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo State and National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research, Idu, Abuja are also listed.

The committee accused the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), of reckless and deliberate refusal to submit audited accounts for the past five years (2005 – 2019) in a violation of Section 85 (3) (b) of the 1999 Constitution.

It recommended that “all those in office that were responsible should be disciplined and referred to the EFCC in line with Financial Regulation 3129 of 2009.”

The same recommendation applies to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. The committee recommended, “that all the former Managing Directors, Director Finance Accounts and External Auditors from 2013 to 2018 that are involved in the non-rendition of audited accounts should be handed over to EFCC and sanctioned accordingly.”

The committee also made similar recommendations on the Federal Housing Authority. It stated that the Authority submitted audited accounts last in 2003.

“The Agency could not provide proof for the rendition of 2014 audited accounts. This act negates Section 85 (3) (6) of the Constitution,” it stated.

It added that “all former MDAs, DFAs and External Auditors should be handed over to the EFCC and sanctioned accordingly.”

The committee also indicted the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

It resolved that the “former Vice Chancellor, former Bursar and present Vice Chancellor should be sanctioned and handed over to EFCC for non-rendition of 2016 – 2018 audited accounts.”

Similarly, the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources was also recommended for sanction. The committee stated that the “Agency could not tender documents on rendition of audited accounts since its inception in 2009.”

To address the violation, the committee stated that “All former DGs, DFAs as well as the present Ag. DG should be sanctioned. The EFCC should prosecute all found responsible in accordance with the law.”

Other agencies whose managements were recommended for sanctions include; Nigeria Communication Satellite (NigComSat), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Abuja Investment Company.

The recommendations are subject to approval by the Committee of the Whole….

– Premium Times!

 

 

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

News and Report

Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Spends Second Night In EFCC’s Cell Over N1.3 Trillion Alleged Fraud

Published

8 hours ago

on

November 7, 2024

By

 

Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spent second night in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

 

Okowa is currently being investigated and detained over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

 

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

According to sources within the commission, Okowa was invited to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he’s subsequently detained by officials.

 

One of the sources stated, “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested. The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

“He is also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project. The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

Investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State. He is currently being held at the EFCC facility in Port Harcourt.

Continue Reading

News and Report

Lagos Government Shuts Down Redeemed Church, Celestial Church, Clubs, Event Centres Over Noise Pollution

Published

21 hours ago

on

November 6, 2024

By

The Lagos State government has shut down a branch of Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Celestial church, nightclubs and event centres over noise pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known on Wednesday, said the churches, clubs and event centres were sealed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in the Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota areas of the state.

The sealed establishments include: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Lounge & Lodging, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.

The commissioner in a post on X said, “In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) took action yesterday, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state.

“This enforcement drive, focusing on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota, is part of LASEPA’s continuous efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.

“The affected establishments include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.”

 

Continue Reading

News and Report

Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja: Tinubu directs flags be flown at half-mast

Published

22 hours ago

on

November 6, 2024

By

President Bola Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The late Army chief, who was appointed by Tinubu on 19 June 2023, was said to have passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in a statement on Wednesday by his office Director of Information & Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, said the president expressed regret over Lagbaja’s death.

Akume said, “President Bola Tinubu has expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, after a brief illness at the age of 56.

“The President has directed that national flags be flown at half mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army chief.

“He profoundly appreciates the services of the departed to the nation and wishes the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, have commiserated with the president, the military, and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the Army, and the nation at large.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence, as our working relationship with him was commendable; he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.

“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed significantly to internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.

“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military, and the nation, as he served the nation with commitment and dedication,” the statement added.

 

Continue Reading

Trending