By Sandra Kenneth
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have called for an immediate probe into the alleged diversion of over N78.8 billion allocated for social protection programmes, including N33.75 billion intended for vulnerable Nigerians.
The demands follow revelations in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s 2024 Annual Report on Non-Compliance/Internal Control Weaknesses in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Auditor-General Shaakaa Chira revealed that the Federal Government failed to provide sufficient evidence that N33.75 billion in cash transfers reached the intended 3.29 million beneficiaries.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana, who serves as Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch a full investigation and collaborate with the Auditor-General to recover the missing funds.
“The EFCC should liaise with the Auditor-General of the Federation with a view to recovering the missing N33.75bn,” Falana stated. “Furthermore, the EFCC should embark on an immediate investigation of the serious allegation of the criminal diversion of the sum of N33.75 billion in cash transfers earmarked for poor and vulnerable people in the country. All the characters involved in the shameful conduct should be arrested and prosecuted without any delay.”
Falana pointed out that the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), established under the NSIPA Act of 2022 during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, was designed to manage social safety nets with strong accountability measures. The Act covers key schemes such as N-Power, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, the National Cash Transfer, and the Grant for Vulnerable Groups.
However, Falana alleged that corruption among public officials has continuously undermined these initiatives. He referenced past investigations, including allegations of money laundering exceeding N37.1 billion involving pioneer Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq.
In a parallel demand, SERAP urged President Bola Tinubu to order a comprehensive probe into the total N78.8 billion flagged across government social safety net schemes to ensure full accountability and recovery of public funds.
