Minister Ordered to Appear Before Reps Over Allegations of ₦1.5bn Diversion

The House of Representatives has initiated a probe into the alleged diversion of ₦1.5 billion, originally designated for contractor payments, by principal officers of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

The House Committee on Women Affairs began the investigation in Abuja following petitions from contractors regarding unpaid contracts.

Rep. Kafilat Ogbara, Chair of the committee, stated that the ministry launched new contracts not included in the 2023 budget, diverting ₦1.5 billion meant for existing contractors. She noted that while the ministry owed contractors, it awarded new contracts in 15 states, which were not budgeted for in 2023.

Ogbara remarked, “Money for contractors has not been paid and money has been diverted, so how do you pay these contractors?”

She also mentioned an ongoing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission into the ministry’s overhead release of ₦1.5 billion in November and December 2023.

Petitioners claimed the ministry purchased seven tricycles for a military barracks in Abuja. Ogbara added that the ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American University of Nigeria, Yola, to pay school fees for the Chibok girls for seven years.

Mr. Aloy Ifeakandu, the Director of Finance and Administration, stated he followed official directives from his superiors and that records are available. He said, “I resumed at the ministry in Sept. 2023, I wouldn’t know what happened before I came. The individual contractors have their files, it can be traced. As at the time I took over, there was no balance in the vote.”

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Gabriel Aduda, distanced himself from the allegations, noting, “In 2023, we had a total budget of ₦13.6 billion, while the total release was ₦3.4 billion.” He explained that this equated to 25 percent budget utilization, with an unreleased balance of ₦10.2 billion.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation confirmed the release of the ₦1.5 billion to the ministry.

The committee has summoned the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, to appear before it on Tuesday, July 9. Additionally, the committee has ordered the ministry to halt all contract processes in 2024 until the issue is resolved and demanded details of the special account for the Chibok girls and the MoU.

NAN.