SERAP Urges Buhari to Investigate and Recover Missing ₦160 Billion

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President, Muhammadu Buhari order an investigation and recovery of the missing ₦160 billion in 149 MDAs in 2018.

The missing funds had been documented in the annual audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation, Anthony Ayine.

The letter in part read, “The letter sent yesterday, read in part: “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.”

SERAP also called for the President to direct an order to be given to the Minister of Finance for the creation of a system of public announcements to shame the 149 MDAs for the reported missing.

The organisation accused that the missing funds was as a result of lack of accountability on the part of the MDAs and a failure of the Financial Minister and the Accountant General of the Federation to ensure strict compliance by the MDAs to the rules and regulations as stipulated by the Auditor General.

“The reported missing public funds reflect the failure of the indicted MDAs to ensure strict compliance with transparency and accountability rules and regulations, and the failure of leadership of the MDAs to foster institutions that uphold the rule of law and human rights.

“SERAP urges you to ask Mrs Ahmed and Mr Ahmed Idris, the Accountant-General of the Federation to explain why they allegedly failed to ensure strict compliance with relevant rules and regulations across all MDAs, despite the warning and recommendations by the Auditor-General.” the letter continued.

SERAP hoped that the President’s compliance to their request would allow for a reduction in public debts and the pressure to borrow money for budget funding.