Nigeria’s House of Representatives Cracks Down on Corruption: EFCC and ICPC Directed to Investigate Former Permanent Secretaries

Source: Africa Publicity

In a bold move to tackle corruption, the Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate two former Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministry of Labour, Williams Alo and Yerima Tafa. The duo is accused of a staggering N3,201,583,662.65 financial infraction while in office.

Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Bamidele Salam, expressed frustration over the increasing disregard for the committee and the parliament by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government. Despite writing seven different letters to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Ministry failed to respond or provide relevant documents to clear them of the 32 audit queries from the 2020 audit report.

Salam emphasized that the Committee will not tolerate MDAs ignoring parliamentary summons to account for public funds. He noted that the Senate Committee on Public Accounts had issued a statement against some MDAs for their refusal to appear, and the House Committee will take similar action.

The Committee has given the current Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Saliu Usman, 72 hours to appear before them to respond to the seven audit queries from the Auditor General for the 2021 financial year. Failure to comply may result in the committee upholding the recommendations of the Auditor General.

Other Permanent Secretaries from the Federal Ministries of Transportation, Women Affairs, and Humanitarian Services have also been summoned to appear before the committee within the next 72 hours.

The Committee is working diligently to address the queries contained in both the 2020 and 2021 audit reports before the 2022 report is submitted in April. As the House of Representatives takes a firm stance against corruption, Nigerians can expect a more transparent and accountable government.