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How Budget Office released N19bn to four MDAs without approval – Senate

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How Budget Office released N19bn to four  MDAs without approval – Senate

By Admin

African Telescope reports that the Budget Office of the Federation has been  indicted by the Nigerian Senate.

The Budget Office was indicted for releasing the sum of N19billion to four unnamed agencies without due approval from the Minister of Finance, the Senate has revealed.

The indictment followed adoption of the 2016 Report of the Auditor General of the Federation by the Senate.

According to the AuGF, the Budget Office violated extant financial regulations when it released N19 billion to four MDAs without the approval of Honorable Minister of Finance.

In addition to the indictment, the red chamber the Budget Office to retrieve the money from the MDAs and refund same into the CRF of the Federation.

Senate had in October 2022 commenced investigation into alleged illegal payment of N19billion to four unnamed  federal agencies by the Budget Office.

However during the investigation carried out by the Senate Public Accounts Committee, the Budget Office was unable to present evidence  of approval from the Ministry of Finance that authorized it to N19billion from the Service Wide Vote to the four unnamed federal agencies.

The Budget Office of the Federation in its response to the query of AuGF, claimed that it had written the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation requesting for details about the four MDAs without response.

But, the SPAC Chaired by Senator Matthew Urhoghide (PDP – Edo South) noted that the Budget  Office did not present the letter it purported to have written to the Office of the Auditor-General requesting for the said details.

However, due to the failure of the Budget Office to present approval for the payment of N19billion to the four MDAs, the Senate adopted the report of the SPAC on the matter and asked that the amount be refunded to treasury.

The query is in the 2016 audit report of the Auditor-General of the Federation which was submitted to Senate for consideration.

The query by the Auditor General reads, “Four MDAs were paid the sum of N19 billion from the Service Wide Vote without the approval of the Honourable Minister of Finance, some of the payments were made on a purported verbal directive from the Director-General.

“This act is against the Financial Regulation 301 and 302 which state that ‘recurrent  expenditure is paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) and no expenditure may be incurred except on the authority of a warrant issued by the Minister of Finance.

“In view of the above, it is difficult to accept the payment to the MDAs as proper and legitimate charges against the public funds.

“The Director General should provide evidence of approval from the Minister of Finance for these expenditures or recover the sum of N19billion from the benefiting MDAs.”

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US Property Scandal: Timi Frank Urges Tinubu To Suspend, Probe Wike Now

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US Property Scandal: Timi Frank Urges Tinubu To Suspend, Probe Wike Now

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Thursday, called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently suspend Nyesom Wike as minister of FCT and cause investigation to be carried out
on his US property scandal.

Frank who made this assertion in a statement in Abuja, called on the President to break his silence on the scandal and demonstrate the same commitment to accountability like the way he acted swiftly and unequivocally in suspending former cabinet minister Betta Edu over corruption charges far less serious than those now confronting Minister Wike.

According to media reports, Wike allegedly acquired property in Florida, and to hide the assets, he allegedly registered them under his wife’s name, Justice Eberechi Wike, and children, Joaquin, Jazmyne, and Jordan.

According to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle, President Tinubu’s silence in the face of overwhelming evidence of the houses in public domain is troubling.

“With detailed reports from credible sources such as People’s Gazette and Sahara Reporters, and with glaring evidence ignored by anti-corruption agencies like EFCC and ICPC, it sends a dangerous message that some officials are untouchable,” he lamented.

He urged the President to be aware that impunity and arrogance of government officials like Wike weakens citizens trust in governance and contribute to revolts like the Nepal uprising.

He commended Omoyele Sowore of Sahara Reporters and the Publishers of People’s Gazette for their courage in exposing corruption in the country, irrespective of serving government officials involved.

He warned Tinubu not to make any official in his cabinet feel as if they are untouchable or they are God.

He stated that the Presidency represents the integrity of Nigeria and must uphold the principle that no one is above the law, regardless of political alliances.

Frank added: “The reasons behind this continued inaction in the case are of Wike appear tied to the political calculations surrounding the 2027 presidential elections.

“However, allowing political ambition to shield corruption will irreparably harm Nigeria’s reputation internationally.

“The world is watching, and this selective justice undermines investor confidence and portrays Nigeria as a nation unable or unwilling to fight corruption—even within its highest offices.

“Furthermore, even when crises erupted in Rivers State, President Tinubu suspended only Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the House of Assembly members while leaving the Minister of FCT, Wike, untouched.

“This inconsistency fuels suspicions of favoritism and political shielding. Nigerians and the international community deserve to know why the President appears reluctant to confront alleged corruption linked to a close political ally.

“Selective enforcement of the law erodes national pride and makes Nigeria a laughing stock among peer nations, many of whom prosecute corruption allegations without hesitation.

“We urge President Tinubu to immediately suspend and commission an independent investigation into Minister Wike, just as was done with Betta Edu.

“The President should protect the dignity of Nigeria and the trust of its citizens by rejecting selective justice and political expediency. The integrity of Nigeria’s governance and its image on the global stage depend on it.”

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Be selfless, Rotary Club President advises Interactors

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From Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

The President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama,  Rtn.  Rosemond Favour Uche has advised Interactors to be selfless.

She also asked the Interactors to put service to the society above any gain.

She implored them to work peace wherever they may be because development thrives in a violence-free environment.

Rosemond gave the charge at a quiz and debate competition between the Interact clubs of J.S.S Dutse Alhaji 1 and Parliament School, Apo in Abuja.

“You are the future of Rotary International, I want to advise you to be selfless in whatever you do.

“You should know that until  everyone is accommodated that there can be a just society. We don’t need divisions along ethnic or religious lines”, she said.

PHOTO CAPTION: The President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama, Rtn. Rosemond Favour Uche presenting a gift to Miss Civir-Ter Bemgba after a quiz competition organised for members of the Interact Clubs of J.S.S Dutse Alhaji 1 and Parliament School Apo on “Peace building and conflict prevention ” in Abuja while Rtn. Cynthia Igbokwe watches.

Rosemond pleaded with the young students to put service above any other pursuit.

She said: “You must put service above self. You should learn to serve the society to leave legacies instead of seeking personal gains.

“This is the main focus of Rotary International. We want a society where there will be a sense of belonging for all; we want a world where we will only serve and not expecting anything in return.”

The District Governor-elect, Dame Princess Joy Nky Okoro urged the Interactors to learn to be “good citizens. “

 

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Timi Frank welcomes Tinubu’s order releasing detained minors, urges FG to compensate victims

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By Adeko Ukpa

African Telescope reports that a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Tuesday, described President Tinubu’s directive on the release of minors arrested and detained during the #EndBadGovernance protests as a step in the right direction.

Frank who made this assertion in a statement in Abuja, however, urged the President to equally order the release of all detainees being held for exercising their constitutional right to protest against bad policies of government because the “President is known to have embarked and led series of protests during the pro-democracy struggle and in 2012 when the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan removed fuel subsidy.”

He urged the President to equally reverse some of his bad economic policies like the floating of the naira and outright removal of fuel subsidy which have  brought untold hardship in the country and worsened the condition of living of majority of Nigerians.

He expressed commitment to commend the President when he takes a positive step in governance and criticize him when his action is against the wellbeing of the generality of Nigerians.

He called on the Federal Government to compensate the minors, after release, for violating their fundamental human rights and cruelty meted on them by the police who detained them for over three months under dehumanizing conditions without trial.

Frank said: “We warmly welcome President Bola Tinubu’s decision to order the immediate release of minors arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests from detention.

“The President’s action acknowledges the concerns of Nigerians and the international community regarding the treatment of protesters, especially minors.

“However, we also call for accountability and reform within the intelligence community.

“The fact that minors were detained for over 90 days without prompt attention from the President’s office raises concerns about the effectiveness of our intelligence agencies.

“We urge the President to investigate this lapse and consider replacing intelligence chiefs who failed to bring this matter to his attention.”

He demanded that the probe ordered by the President should start from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Commissioners of Police in-charge of Kano and Kaduna states who arrested the minors.

“This probe must not be swept under the rug, we shall monitor to ensure that the findings are made public and appropriate sanctions meted out to officers found to be complicit,” he said.

Besides, to ensure adequate justice for the victimised and oppressed minors, he urged the Federal Government to provide financial assistance to their families, offer the minors scholarships and enroll them in reputable boarding schools to help them overcome their traumatic experiences.

“The minors should also be availed the services of professional counsellors to address any emotional or psychological distress.

“By taking these steps, we can begin to heal the wounds of the past and build a more just and compassionate society for all Nigerians,” he said.

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