FEATURES
Office of Nigeria’s Auditor-General of the Federation has uncovered irregular payment for contracts amounting to N197.72 billion in Rural Electrification Agency agencies, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, a subsidiary of Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company and other ministries, departments, and agencies in the country.
The details of the findings were disclosed in the Auditor-General’s Annual Report on Non-Compliance and Internal Control Weaknesses, covering activities between 2020 and 2021.
These violations include irregular payment for contracts, and payment for jobs partially executed or not executed at all, contravening the country’s financial regulations and procurement laws.
Specifically, N7.386 billion was the amount of irregularities in the award of contracts by 32 MDAs.
REA topped the chart with N2.12 billion while NSPM recorded the least with N11.7 million.
“The sum of N7,386,551,051.09 (seven billion, three hundred and eighty-six million, five hundred and fifty-one thousand, fifty-one naira, nine kobos) was the number of irregularities in the award of contracts by 32 ministries, departments and agencies.
“The Rural Electrification Agency, Abuja, has the highest amount of N2,117,143,168.09 (two billion, one hundred and seventeen million, one hundred and three thousand, one hundred and sixty-eight naira, nine kobo), while the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc (NSPM) has the least amount of N11,720,000 (Eleven million, seven hundred and twenty thousand,” the report indicated.
The worst revelation of the report showed that the sum of N167.59 billion was paid for jobs or contracts that were either partially executed or not executed at all. This contravenes Paragraph 708 of the Financial Regulations, which prohibits payments for services or goods not yet delivered.
In this aspect, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, an agency in the country’s power sector accounted for N100 billion of these irregular payments, making it the highest in this category. Meanwhile National Centre for Women Development recorded the lowest irregularity at N2.17 million.
The report read, “The sum of N167,592,177,559.40 (one hundred and sixty-seven billion, five hundred and ninety-two million, one hundred and seventy-seven thousand, five hundred and fifty-nine naira, forty kobos) was the number of payments for jobs/contracts not executed by 31 ministries, departments and agencies.
“The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., Abuja, has the highest amount of N100,000,000,000.00 (one hundred billion naira), while the National Centre for Women Development has the least amount of N2,171,766.44 (two million, one hundred and seventy-one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-six naira, forty-four kobo).”
Similarly, the report also uncovered violations of due process in contract awards amounting to N20.33 billion across 24 MDAs.
The violations are against Section 16(21) of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007 which requires strict adherence to procurement plans and mandatory approvals before contract awards. Meanwhile, the audit report found that these requirements were often ignored or violated. The report showed that NSPM, a subsidiary of CBN was responsible for the highest amount of due process violations, totaling N14.14 billion, while the Corporate Affairs Commission had the least, at N8.98 million.
“The sum of N20,334,104,016.27 (twenty billion, three hundred and thirty-four million, one hundred and four thousand, sixteen nairas, twenty-seven kobo) was the number of contracts awarded in violation of due process by 24 ministries, departments and agencies.
“The Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc Abuja has the highest amount of N14,136,472,333.16 (fourteen billion, one hundred and thirty-six million, four hundred and seventy-two thousand, three hundred and thirty-three naira, sixteen kobos) while the Corporate Affairs Commission has the least amount of N8,980,603.72 (eight million, nine hundred and eighty thousand, six hundred and three naira, seventy-two kobo),” it added.
Financial corruption has been the bane of Nigeria’s problem. In July 2024, the National Bureau of Statistics’s corruption survey report showed that Nigerians paid N721 billion as bribes to public officials in 2023.
[DailyPost]
SERAP to Tinubu: Probe alleged missing N57bn in humanitarian affairs ministry, punish offenders
Admin
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate the alleged diversion or theft of over N57 billion from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.
The organisation also claimed that hundreds of billions of naira were reportedly missing from other ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
SERAP urged Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), alongside relevant anti-corruption agencies, to thoroughly probe these allegations.
The claims are detailed in the 2021 audited report recently released by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
SERAP stated: “Anyone suspected to be responsible should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any missing public funds should be fully recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
The organisation further urged the president to utilise any recovered funds to address the deficit in the 2025 budget and impose an immediate moratorium on government borrowing to alleviate Nigeria’s mounting debt crisis.
In a letter dated 23 November 2024, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare and made available to Vanguard, the group said: “The allegations amount to stealing from the poor. There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these grave allegations.”
The letter, read in part: “Poor Nigerians have continued to pay the price for the widespread and grand corruption in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviations and other ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs].
“According to the 2021 annual audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, [the Ministry] in 2021 failed to account for over N54 billion [N54,630,000,000.00] meant to pay monthly stipends to Batch C1 N-Power volunteers and non-graduate trainees between August and December 2021. The money was ‘not directly paid to the beneficiaries.
“The Auditor-General is concerned that the money ‘may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury. He also wants suspected perpetrators of the diversion to be sanctioned in line with the Financial Regulations.
“The Ministry also reportedly failed to account for over N2.6 billion [N2,617,090,786.00] of public funds meant for the ‘home grown school feeding programme during Covid-19’, as ‘the programme was never executed.’
“The money was allegedly paid to five contractors to ‘procure, package and distribute Covid-19 palliatives to Kano, Zamfara and Abia states,’” but without any trace.
“The Auditor-General fears the money ‘may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.
“The Ministry also reportedly spent over N78 million [N78,373,909.74] to ‘carry out a survey on the Ministry’s Covid-19 response to states and vulnerable groups’ but without any approval or document.
“The Auditor-General fears the money may be missing or have ended up in the pockets of ‘incompetent contractors’. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.
“The Ministry also reportedly failed to account for N39.5 million [M39,500,000.00] ‘personal donations to different personalities’. The money ‘was paid directly to the minister as reimbursement,’’ among others.
SERAP warned that; “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.
“The country’s wealth ought to be used solely for the benefit of the Nigerian people, and for the sake of the present and future generations.
“These allegations can promptly be investigated and suspected perpetrators named and shamed. Taking these steps would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.
“Prosecuting the allegations and recovering any missing public funds would improve the chances of success of your government’s oft-repeated commitment to fight corruption and end the impunity of perpetrators.”
SERAP, urged the President, to urgently address the widespread and systemic corruption in MDAs, as documented by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, including in the 2021 audited report and previous reports.
“Tackling corruption in MDAs would go a long way in addressing the budget deficit and debt problems.
“SERAP urges you to immediately enforce the judgment by Hon. Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Lagos, ordering your government to release the spending details of N729 billion by Mrs Sadia Umar-Farouk, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development.
“Investigating the allegations and naming and shaming and prosecuting those suspected to be responsible for the missing public funds and recovering the funds would end the impunity of perpetrators,” SERAP maintained.
[Vanguard]
The Akwa Ibom ministry of education has commenced an investigation into the nutrition of boarding students at Presbyterian Senior Science College.
A video, which has now gone viral on social media, shows the college students eating meals in sub-human conditions.
The video also showed the deplorable state of the dining area in the school.
Idongesit Etiebet, the state’s commissioner for education, has ordered the suspension of Nse Sunday Umoh, the school’s principal, till the end of the investigation.
In a statement, the commissioner assured that the investigation will be focused on the key facilities of all 26 public schools in the state.
She further emphasised the need for parental support while stating the state’s commitment to the well-being of the students.
“Following from the very disturbing video where students were fed with unpalatable and non-nutritious meals at Presbyterian Senior Science College, Ididep, I paid an unscheduled visit to the school,” the statement reads.
“I have directed a comprehensive investigation into the state of boarding facilities in the school and the other 25 boarding secondary schools across the state.
“This review, which will focus on hostels, dining halls, recreation areas, menu, kitchen, and sanitary facilities, will be jointly overseen by the permanent secretaries of the ministry of education and the state secondary education board.
“Consequently, I have also directed the immediate suspension of the principal of the school, Dr. Nse Sunday Umoh pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Although the free education policy of the state government covers tuition fees only and not boarding fees, the welfare and dignity of all students, especially those in public schools, remain a priority of the Umo Eno-led administration.
“We appeal to parents who have already been greatly relieved of the burden of tuition fees to undertake basic parental responsibilities to support their children in secondary schools.
“The ministry is committed to ensuring that all public school facilities meet irreducible minimum standards that uphold the well-being of both learners and staff.”
[TheCable]
Economic Hardship: Come Up With Policies That Will Allow Nigerians Breath – Shettima to Tinubu
AFOLABI
The National President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Yerima Shettima has urged President Bola Tinubu to change economic policies that do not bring hope to Nigerians.
Speaking during an interview with The Sun, Shettima pleaded with the Tinubu-led administration to be more sensitive to the plight of Nigerians and introduce favorable policies.
He insisted that those in power must come up with policies that would allow Nigerians breath.
According to him, “There is nothing bad in dropping a policy that does not give hope to the people.
“They should come up with policies that will allow Nigerians to breathe”.
Speaking further, he said, “That an economic policy has worked somewhere successfully does not mean it must work here in Nigeria. So, the government must be very sensitive concerning the policy models they import into our situation.
“This country is hugely blessed and there is no reason for Nigerians to be in this mess if the government decides to be more sensitive to the plight of the people. Yes, there is hunger, there is insecurity and Nigerians want to see gradual progress taking place.
“Yes, the time may still be too short for an objective assessment of this government, yet something better than what Nigerians are experiencing is possible.
“So, the onus is still on the government to raise the leadership bar that will inspire hope on the people.”
He, however, blamed the current economic woes on the immediate past government led by Mohammed Buhari, saying it will take years to correct their errors.
“The reality as I have said is that the government cannot reverse the damage of the Buhari regime as easily as most Nigerians think.
“They cannot even reverse all the mess in four years, but Nigerians should begin to see conscious relief, improvement and the government coming up with policies that give hope,” he added.
An irate mob has set ablaze two men said to be revenue touts allegedly working with Anambra State government.
According to Vanguard, the men were set ablaze after reportedly causing the death of an innocent bystander at Old Market Road along Venn Road by Egerton in Onitsha, Anambra State.
It was gathered that the revenue agents were dragging the steering wheel of a tipper driver with him, when he lost control and the vehicle rammed into the by-stander, killing him immediately.
A gory video circulating on the internet showed the mob beating two of the revenue agents with objects and setting them ablaze.
A man, who made the video recording of the incident, said, “There was chaos in Onitsha this morning as angry mob set ablaze two revenue touts, while four others were lucky as they managed to escape. The revenue collectors, numbering about six were chasing the tipper driver over a certain amount they asked him to pay.
“As they were chasing him, some of them were dragging the steering with him, but unfortunately, in the process, the tipper driver lost control rammed into a passer-by, killing him instantly.
“Immediately, the revenue collectors saw the damage they have caused, they tried to flee the scene, but Onitsha mob got angry and descended on them, setting ablaze two of them instantly while four of them managed to escape.
“This is one death too many that has been going on in Anambra in the last two years. The person who the tipper driver rammed into is a known person. We cannot continue like this anymore. These Revenue touts of the state government have killed more Ndi Anambra than non-state actors.”
Another source, who is a trader also said, “Onitsha was hot this morning at Egerton by old market road. Revenue men were dragging steering with a tipper driver because he refused to give them bribe and in the process, the vehicle ran over an innocent man, then seeing the result of their stupid action, they tried to run away. But the angry people chased and caught two of them.”
Speaking to the aforementioned publication, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police had responded swiftly to bring the situation under control.
Ikenga said: “Anambra police responded swiftly on the receipt of the fatal accident that happened in that area. We are already working with the relevant authorities to ascertain what happened and find an amicable solution to such, especially on future occurrences. I will get back to you as soon as I get more facts on the incident, please.”
The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has declared that citizens would resist any attempts to impose Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, as the next governor of the state.
This statement follows recent endorsements of Seyi as a potential successor to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027 by some groups.
One of such groups, the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, issued an endorsement on Tuesday in Owerri, Imo State, suggesting that Seyi would be welcomed to run for governor in Osun or Imo states, where his family is reportedly from.
Similarly, a socio-political group, Friends of Seyi Tinubu, also endorsed him, describing the president’s son as a visionary leader with a rare combination of intellect, empathy, and strategic acumen.
However, their endorsements have drawn criticism from various stakeholders.
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, the Lagos PDP spokesperson, Hakeem Amode, rejected the idea, saying, “Lagos will not serve him.”
He questioned whether governorship should become an inheritance, suggesting that it was inappropriate for a son to inherit such a role from his father.
“Governorship is not a gift,” he stated, stressing that if the Tinubu camp were to resort to tactics similar to those used in Ondo and Edo states in the past, it would be met with resistance.
He further reminded that many Lagosians did not vote for Tinubu in the last presidential election which was an indication that they would not support his son for governor.
Earlier, the Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths also condemned the idea of a Tinubu family member taking over the governorship, insisting that non-indigenes should not be allowed to govern Lagos State.
But the spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress in Lagos, Seye Oladejo, dismissed the conversation about the 2027 elections as premature.
“It is too early to be discussing the 2027 elections,” he said, urging people to focus on supporting current government.
He said, “We should rally behind the governor and the president now to advance development.”
Earlier, a prominent APC chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, also weighed in on the issue, on his Facebook page.
“Who are these faceless people pushing Seyi Tinubu for Lagos Governor? This is a needless distraction. The real target is to bring down President Bola Tinubu. Ruling Lagos is not a job for amateurs,” he wrote.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has asserted that its criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration is delivered with the same fervor as during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Murtala Aliyu, the Secretary-General of the forum, disclosed this during an appearance on News Night, an Arise TV programme. He emphasized that the ACF, while political in nature, remains neutral and does not align with any partisan agenda.
He said, “I think that’s an unfair judgment to say we criticize the government because a Southerner is at the helm of affairs.
“We were huge critics of the last northern-led administration, and our records can verify this.
“We have consistently brought attention to government actions and pressed for improvement when necessary.
“The ACF’s official position is that selecting candidates is the responsibility of political parties.
“We’ll assess which candidate is better for the country and the north. We’re not partisan, but rather political, and our interest is the entire northern state and its benefit to the whole country.
“We don’t take sides, and we’re not against any person, including the current president.”
Aliyu’s remarks came after the reported announcement that the ACF will support a northern candidate in the 2027 general election.
On Wednesday, Mamman Osuman, ACF national chairman, criticised northern leaders for not finding solutions to the region’s challenges.
Osuma queried the roles the regional governors and lawmakers are playing toward improving the economic hardship inflicted on the people by Tinubu’s policies.
He reportedly announced the support of the forum for a northern candidate in the 2027 general election.
Subsequently, the ACF suspended Osuman for issuing an unauthorised statement, adding that he did not consult with other leaders and members of the forum before remarking.
Doyin Okupe, a former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign, has praised President Bola Tinubu as the most prepared leader Nigeria has had since independence in 1960.
Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, Okupe dismissed critics who question his support for Tinubu, asserting that his stance is rooted in principle rather than personal gain.
“Those who see what I’m doing with Bola Tinubu today and thinking that it was for personal gain, I told you, they can only be young people who do not know. They don’t know the history; they don’t know what my pedigree is. I am a man that supports what I consider to be fair and just even if it is to my detriment,” he said.
Okupe recounted his longstanding acquaintance with Tinubu, dating back to their NADECO days, emphasizing their shared history despite being on opposite sides politically.
“I met the president, Tinubu, about a week ago. I had not seen him for seven or eight years. I had not spoken to him on the phone. He didn’t talk to me.
“But he’s somebody I know very well politically. We have never been on the same side before in politics but we’ve always shared a relationship since our NADECO days.
“From that time, till when he was governor and left as governor, I’ve had opportunities to sit with Bola Tinubu for hours unending. And he has impressed me, not only as a politician, but as a technocrat, a man capable of deep thinking. He has developmental ideologies and policies at his fingertips. This thing, you don’t learn it. It’s a gift,” Okupe stated.
He likened Tinubu’s leadership qualities to those of the late Obafemi Awolowo, describing both as reformers with a focus on public welfare.
Okupe dismissed claims that Tinubu assumed office without a plan as “nonsense,” asserting that no Nigerian president has been better prepared for governance.
“The last time we had anybody close to him (Tinubu) was Awolowo (Obafemi). Awolowo was a very serious-minded politician, but who had ideas of public policies that would benefit the masses. That is what Bola Tinubu is today.
“Bola Tinubu, you know, in the Villa, we have a reformer, a president who is a reformer. I’ve heard some people saying that Bola Tinubu came to the office without a plan, he has no clue, that is balderdash, that is nonsense.
“I have worked with two past presidents. I have studied other presidents closely from a very close point. I don’t know any Nigerian president from 1960 to date who has come better prepared for governance than this gentleman,” Okupe concluded.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to take over power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
The Party disclosed that the first step towards achieving this goal is to place machineries in place to unite all party members and organs of the party at all levels.
Speaking via a communique issued at the end of the PDP Governors Forum meeting in Jos yesterday, the party called for unity among its members.
It expressed its commitment to maintaining the party as a trusted platform for democratic governance.
In the communique, which was read by the Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, the governors welcomed the postponement of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in sympathy with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Imo Eno, who lost his wife.
The forum, however, advised the National Working Committee (NWC) to coordinate consultations with party stakeholders to ensure that the meeting is held by February 2025, when all leadership and governance issues must have been addressed.
In the 7-point communiqué, the governors said, “The forum notes the concerns of Nigerians, PDP founding fathers, elders and members of our great party, of the
“The forum wishes to state categorically that it commands resolution in its determination to ensure unity and cohesion of this great party that Nigerians have come to trust as the best platform for democratic governance.
“The forum is constrained to accept the latest postponement of the National Executive Council of the party in empathy and sympathy with our colleague, His Excellency, Gov Umo Eno Eno, whose late dear wife will be buried on the same day earlier scheduled for NEC.
“The forum expresses empathy for Nigerians suffering from economic difficulties and calls for a review of federal government policies to improve citizens’ welfare.”
The governors raised concerns about the integrity of recent elections, particularly in Edo and Ondo states, alleging manipulation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and calling for judicial and legislative actions to protect democracy.
No fewer than 331 senior civil servants have been promoted within the federal civil service following the conclusion of the 2024 promotion and evaluation process.
The promoted officers were among 697 candidates who participated in the oral interview conducted on November 4, 2024.
The promotion exercise, organized by the Federal Civil Service Commission, targeted officers on Grade Levels 14, 15, and 16.
The promotion exercise began in May 2024, when the commission issued a notice for the annual promotion and evaluation process. Written examinations, known as the “local leg,” were held between August 12 and August 17, 2024.
On October 11, 2024, shortlisted candidates were invited for an oral interview, with an additional list released on October 21, 2024.
The final list of those promoted was detailed in a memo signed by the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa.
“Sequel to the conduct of the Year 2024 Directorate Level Promotion/Evaluation Exercise, the Federal Civil Service Commission has approved the promotion of the following officers in the Federal Civil Service from Salary Grade Levels 14 to 15, 15 to 16, and 16 to 17, respectively, with effect from January 1, 2024,” the memo stated.
According to Punch, out of the 697 candidates who attended the oral interview, only 331 were successfully promoted.
The promotions, effective from January 1, 2024, are expected to motivate senior civil servants to improve service delivery and efficiency within the federal civil service.
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the arrest of a businessman caught with a large quantity of cocaine.
Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, revealed the arrest on Sunday via his X account, accompanied by a video displaying the seized contraband.
The businessman, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly ingested a substantial quantity of cocaine in an attempt to avoid detection.
Babafemi wrote, “Detty December: Before you swallow those drugs, please remember that the new @ndlea_nigeria has the capacity and capability to catch you.
“The businessman who excreted this amount of cocaine will not only spend Christmas behind bars but also risks a life sentence at the end of his trial. Beware!”
Click the link below to watch the video:
Media
A political scientist, Professor Kamilu Sani Fagge, has submitted that some powerful people have formed a cabal around President Bola Tinubu and are the ones influencing his policies and decisions.
According to him, the cabals are making the President believe he can run Nigeria the same way he ran Lagos State as Governor.
He said Nigerians are crying because of the policies which the cabals around President Tinubu have encouraged him to implement but which are not favourable to the people because Nigeria is not Lagos and should, therefore not be run the same way.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust, the Bayero University academic don said cabals are not peculiar to Nigerian politics.
He said they are powerful and influential, but they rarely interfere with the day-to-day running of the government, unlike what is obtained in Nigeria.
He urged President Tinubu to realize he was not elected to satisfy the cabals, but to work for Nigerians.
In his words, “There are very few people directly influencing the policies of the government. Unfortunately, some of them are his political acquaintances or relatives that have been with him. The reality is that those people are the ones he had links with when he was governor. But now, they are trying to make him act as if the policies he took in Lagos are applicable to Nigeria. That is why people are crying. Nigeria is more complex than Lagos.
The president is not for the cabal but Nigeria because he was elected by Nigerians, so he has to look beyond such group of persons.
On what should be the way forward, Professor Fagge urged President Tinubu to be loyal to the people, and not the cabals. He added that the President must find means of hearing and understanding what is going on on the streets so as to adequately meet the needs of the people who elected him.
“The way out of this problem is for the president to accept the fact that he is a democratically elected president. He must be responsible to Nigerians, not very few members of a cabal.
“The president must open other channels of communication from which he will know and hear about the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
“Whatever members of the cabal think the president wants is what they will let him know; and they will shield facts from him. So, he has to acquire such knowledge and facts from other sources, after all, he has so many informal and formal channels by which he can know what is happening in the country. Formally, there are channels in security agencies saddled with the responsibility of informing the president. Then informally, he has other contacts and trustees in other places. I think the sooner the president or any leader is open to the people the better for him and the country,” he submitted.
Less than a week after reports emerged of governors threatening to deny federal lawmakers tickets to vie for National Assembly seats in the 2027 general elections for supporting the Tax Reform Bills, some of the lawmakers have denied the claim.
On Monday, November 18, 2024, the Deputy Spokesman for the House of Representatives, Mr Philip Agbese, said some governors were threatening to deny federal lawmakers return tickets if they did not withdraw support for President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills now before the National Assembly for consideration.
The President had transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by Taiwo Oyedele for the review of existing tax laws.
They include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.
Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.
Reacting to the tax reform proposals, governors of the 19 northern states on October 29, 2024, rejected the proposed shift to a derivation-based model for Value Added Tax distribution, arguing that the model would put the region in a disadvantaged position compared with its southern counterpart.
A few days later, the 36 state governors rejected the bills and asked for their withdrawal to allow room for more consultation.
Agbese, while speaking to Sunday PUNCH on Friday, said the threat against lawmakers was real.
“This has become more than a threat,” he added.
But his colleagues, in separate interviews with Sunday PUNCH, said governors were becoming advocates of the reform bills.
The member representing Ehime Mbano/Ihitte/Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, Chike Okafor, said, “I am not aware of some governors threatening to deny their lawmakers return tickets if they support the tax bills. I am from Imo State and a member of the All Progressives Congress, the same party as my governor. I work closely with him. I can confirm that he hasn’t asked us the lawmakers from Imo State not to support the tax bills.
“Don’t forget that he was a consummate lawmaker, having served two unbroken terms in the Senate. Again, don’t forget that he’s the Chairman of the Progressive Governor’s Forum.”
Also, the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Babajimi Benson, said governors who were likely to oppose the proposed reforms were those who had not taken time to go through their contents.
“If any governor that has read this bill decides to deny a lawmaker his or her return ticket, it means the governor has not read the bill extensively. But I believe most governors have read the bill and are now in full support of it. I am in full support of this bill because it’s a game-changer and progressive. It redistributes wealth, and leaves no state behind,” Babajimi said.
On his part, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and lawmaker from Niger State, Joshua Gana, played down any threat from state governors, adding that God determines who becomes a leader at any point in time.
“God Almighty raises men into leadership positions in every nation. There’s no threat to any lawmaker on the 2027 ticket to return elected. We are the people’s representatives who will only do what is in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians,” Gana said.
Similarly, a member of the Labour Party from Abia State, Alex Ikwechegh, doubted the possibility of any governor opposed to the bills.
“I’m not aware of this and I don’t think my governor is on that path,” he said.
The bills are expected to be debated by lawmakers in both the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 26 plenary sessions.
Meanwhile, the APC and the Labour Party have expressed divergent views on the bills.
The National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, argued that rather than killing the bills, the National Assembly should subject them to further consultations.
The APC spokesman also frowned on the alleged threats and blackmail against the lawmakers, saying such a thing should not be entertained in a democracy.
He said, “Blackmail is not allowed in the constitution neither is it allowed in particularly the type of democracy we are practising in Nigeria. I think what all sides need to do is to engage the instrument of lobby. If you have a mission that you want to scale through, you need to lobby.
“Lobby until you can win the confidence and conviction of the people that are going to deliberate on the issue. So, this tax issue needs to be looked into through wider consultation. All sides need to consult widely. There is a lot of misgivings about it and mischief is also coming in.
“We don’t want the issue to be looked at with an ulterior motive or something that is done to change one part of the country or the other. Let us look at it with a patriotic mind and subject it to proper and additional scrutiny through experts who know what the whole thing is all about. We can then engage the instrument of lobby.”
But the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, wondered why the Tinubu’s administration had been plagued by the ideas of taxation and loans since it was inaugurated on May 29, 2023.
“The only thing I want to say is that there is so much tax being introduced by this government making them look like a government that rules by tax. While they are busy taxing people, they are equally borrowing. Now, the question is, where are all these monies going? Nigerians have yet to feel the benefit.
“It’s not about taxes or how to share the proceeds. It’s about the proper allocations of what has been accrued from the taxes. If you are getting the money and projecting it into making the economy stable and putting food on the tables, that will be fine. But as I’m talking to you, they are still busy discussing when to pay the N70,000 minimum wage, and it is not adding up.
“So, the issue is, taxing Nigeria is killing. The last time I asked, they claimed they are taxing the rich. That is not true. They are taxing everybody because at the end of the day, tax has been added to what the rich put up in the market to sell. So, the people are left with no option but to buy. So, it still trickles down to the masses.”
However, the PDP and NNPP urged the National Assembly to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians over political interests during the discussions.
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, emphasised that the bills should not be limited to political party discussions.
He stated “The most important position is that of Nigerians. What should also be important is that all stakeholders, regardless of political affiliation, must ensure that there is a taxation system that is fair to all, regardless of where you are from, who you are, the place you live, and even the religion you practise. What is fair should be fair.”
Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, urged lawmakers to approach the bill with courage and critically assess it for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Auditor-General’s Report Uncovers ₦197.72 Billion contract fraud Across 32 ministries, departments and agencies
AFOLABI
A report by the Auditor-General of the Federation has exposed irregular payments for contracts totalling over N197.72bn across various ministries, departments, and agencies, raising serious concerns about systemic lapses in financial compliance and procurement processes.
The findings, which are detailed in the Auditor-General’s Annual Report on Non-Compliance and Internal Control Weaknesses, cover activities between 2020 and 2021.
They reveal violations of established financial regulations and procurement laws, with irregularities affecting multiple MDAs.
The report was released to assist stakeholders, including the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly, in addressing these lapses and recovering the lost funds.
One of the key findings in the report revealed irregularities in the award of contracts totalling N7.39bn.
The breaches occurred in 32 MDAs and contravened Paragraph 2921(i) of the Financial Regulations (2009), which mandates open competitive bidding for all procurement processes.
The Rural Electrification Agency in Abuja recorded the highest irregularity in this category, amounting to N2.12bn, while the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc had the least irregularity, at N11.72m.
The audit report read, “The sum of N7,386,551,051.09 (seven billion, three hundred and eighty-six million, five hundred and fifty-one thousand, fifty-one naira, nine kobo) was the amount of irregularities in the award of contracts by 32 ministries, departments and agencies.
“The Rural Electrification Agency, Abuja, has the highest amount of N2,117,143,168.09 (two billion, one hundred and seventeen million, one hundred and three thousand, one hundred and sixty-eight naira, nine kobo), while the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc (NSPM) has the least amount of N11,720,000 (Eleven million, seven hundred and twenty thousand naira).”
Another alarming revelation in the report was the sum of N167.59bn paid for jobs or contracts that were either partially executed or not executed at all.
This contravenes Paragraph 708 of the Financial Regulations, which prohibits payments for services or goods not yet delivered.
The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc in Abuja accounted for N100bn of these irregular payments, making it the highest in this category.
The National Centre for Women Development recorded the lowest irregularity at N2.17m.
The report read, “The sum of N167,592,177,559.40 (one hundred and sixty-seven billion, five hundred and ninety-two million, one hundred and seventy-seven thousand, five hundred and fifty-nine naira, forty kobo) was the amount of payments for jobs/contracts not executed by 31 ministries, departments and agencies.
“The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., Abuja, has the highest amount of N100,000,000,000.00 (one hundred billion naira), while the National Centre for Women Development has the least amount of N2,171,766.44 (two million, one hundred and seventy-one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-six naira, forty-four kobo).”
The report also uncovered violations of due process in contract awards amounting to N20.33bn across 24 MDAs.
Section 16(21) of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007 requires strict adherence to procurement plans and mandatory approvals before contract awards.
However, the audit found that these requirements were often ignored.
The NSPM in Abuja was responsible for the highest amount of due process violations, totalling N14.14bn, while the Corporate Affairs Commission had the least, at N8.98m.
The report noted, “The sum of N20,334,104,016.27 (twenty billion, three hundred and thirty-four million, one hundred and four thousand, sixteen naira, twenty-seven kobo) was the amount of contracts awarded in violation of due process by 24 ministries, departments and agencies.
“The Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc Abuja, has the highest amount of N14,136,472,333.16 (fourteen billion, one hundred and thirty-six million, four hundred and seventy-two thousand, three hundred and thirty-three naira, sixteen kobo) while the Corporate Affairs Commission has the least amount of N8,980,603.72 (eight million, nine hundred and eighty thousand, six hundred and three naira, seventy-two kobo).”
Also, a total of N2.41bn was discovered to have been paid for contracts exceeding approved financial thresholds without obtaining the required “Certificate of No Objection” from the Bureau of Public Procurement.
This violation affected five MDAs, with the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, recording the highest amount at N1.06bn.
The Federal Medical Centre, Bida, recorded the least amount, at N9.9m.
The report read, “The sum of N2,407,710,913.92 (two billion, four hundred and seven million, seven hundred and ten thousand, nine hundred and thirteen naira, ninety-two kobo) was the amount of contracts awarded above the threshold by five ministries, departments and agencies.
“The Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria has the highest amount of N1,065,614,232.70 (one billion, sixty-five million, six hundred and fourteen thousand, two hundred and thirty-two naira, seventy kobo) while the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, has the least amount of N9,900,000.00 (nine million, nine hundred thousand naira).”
This report categorised these issues as “cross-cutting”, meaning they were systemic and occurred in at least four MDAs.
It criticised the weak internal controls within the MDAs and highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of financial regulations.
The Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly have been notified of the findings, with recommendations to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence.
The revelations have sparked concerns about the government’s ability to manage public funds efficiently, particularly at a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic challenges such as inflation and rising debt.
The audit findings highlight the urgent need for reforms to restore public confidence in the country’s financial management system.
CACOL demands probe
Meanwhile, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged misappropriation of N4.64bn by the Ministry of Works and Housing, under the leadership of Babatunde Fashola.
An audit report by the Auditor-General for the Federation had also uncovered financial irregularities totaling over N4.64bn in the Federal Ministry of Works (Housing Sector) between 2020 and 2021.
The report details several issues, including payments made without proper documentation, extra-budgetary expenditures, mobilisation fees exceeding approved thresholds, and contracts awarded without following due process.
The Auditor-General recommended that the Permanent Secretary of the ministry justify the payments, recover the funds, and remit them to the treasury.
The audit report also recommended that evidence of compliance should be submitted to the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committees, failing which sanctions under Paragraph 3106 of the Financial Regulations should apply.
Reacting to the report, the Executive Director of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, expressed concern over the findings, describing it as a betrayal of public trust.
Adeniran urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to expedite the investigation into the matter and hold those responsible accountable.
“It is not surprising that such cases of misappropriation, misapplication of funds, outright embezzlement, and other misdemeanor will happen. President Bola Tinubu must not be nepotistic about this revelation.
“This must not be covered up; the government must ensure that justice is done and anybody who is found culpable in the allegations must be punished.
“Further investigation should be carried out and nobody should be bigger than the law; whoever is culpable should be made to face the course of justice,” Adeniran said.
Efforts to get Fashola to respond to the allegations proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages to his number were neither answered nor replied.