House of Reps Presses Anti-Graft Agencies to Summon Ex-Permanent Secretaries
The House of Representatives has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate two former Permanent Secretaries of the Federal Ministry of Labour, Williams Alo and Yerima Tafa, over an alleged ₦3.201 billion financial mismanagement.
Failure to Account for ₦3.2 Billion Raises Eyebrows
Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Hon. Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun), revealed that the House had sent seven letters to the Labour Ministry, demanding explanations regarding 32 audit queries from the 2020 financial report, yet received no response.
“The Ministry has ignored all our invitations and failed to present the necessary documents to clear these financial infractions,” Salam stated.
According to him, the Auditor General of the Federation had flagged the irregularities, yet the Ministry failed to defend itself despite repeated opportunities.
Ex-Permanent Secretaries Held Responsible
The committee has now placed the responsibility on Williams Alo and Yerima Tafa, who were in charge when the financial infractions occurred.
“As accounting officers, they must explain how these funds were spent,” Salam insisted.
Additionally, the current Permanent Secretary, Saliu Usman, has been given a 72-hour ultimatum to appear before the committee and respond to seven audit queries for the 2021 financial year.
Failure to do so may result in the committee upholding the Auditor General’s findings, which could lead to further legal action.
Other Ministries Under Scrutiny
The probe is not limited to the Labour Ministry. Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Transportation, Women Affairs, and Humanitarian Affairs—Adeleye Ayodeji, Mariam Keshero, and Yakubu Adams Kofan-mata—have also been ordered to appear before the House committee within 72 hours to account for their ministries’ financial records.
Hon. Salam emphasized that the committee is determined to complete its review of the 2020 and 2021 audit reports before the 2022 audit report is submitted in April.
Do you think the missing ₦3.2 billion will ever be recovered? Should former Permanent Secretaries be held accountable? Share your thoughts in the comments! Stay updated with NIGPOST for more breaking news!
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