THE House of Representatives has indicted 31 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over financial irregularities exceeding N103.8 billion and $950,912, urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to take swift action to recover the mismanaged funds.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Rep. Bamidele Salam yesterday, drawing from the findings of the House Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which reviewed the Auditor-General’s reports for 2019 and 2020.
The reports uncovered widespread non-compliance with financial regulations, weak internal controls, and unauthorized expenditures. Among the agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was faulted for unauthorized spending on a presidential lodge project in Ethiopia. It was directed to refund over N124 million and $795,000, along with additional unapproved payments.
The Bank of Agriculture was accused of failing to collect debts amounting to N75.6 billion. It has been instructed to publish debtor names in three national newspapers and recover the sums within 90 days.
The Nigerian Correctional Service must also remit N7.47 million in unpaid withholding taxes.
Meanwhile Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) was flagged for improper vehicle retention by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and procurement breaches worth over N12 million. Kwali Area Council in Abuja was also cited for making unverified payments of N82 million to unidentified recipients. The former chairman was directed to recover and remit the funds.
Additionally, Nigeria Customs Service was tasked with presenting a detailed breakdown of credited items in both Federation and Non-Federation Accounts. While the rural Electrification Agency was implicated in infractions totaling N1.3 billion, including unauthorized spending of N394 million and transfers of N969 million to a Eurobond ledger.
The Veterinary Council of Nigeria was also ordered to recover and remit over N19 million, including stamp duties and excess IGR while the Nigerian Communication Satellite Ltd (NCSL) was directed to return over N1 billion, including misappropriated funds by staff and contractors.
Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc disbursed N14.4 billion in unauthorized salaries. The committee called for a full refund and recovery of N432 million in under-deducted allowances.
The report also indicted the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, demanding a refund of N12.3 million for excessive cash advances, N373.4 million for unauthorized virements, and retrieval of a government vehicle.
The House further recommended empowering agency heads to appoint external auditors when governing boards are absent, urging an amendment to financial regulations or a directive from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
Presiding over the session, Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu lauded Rep. Salam and PAC members for their detailed and diligent work.
Anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC, ICPC, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), have been urged to act swiftly in recovering the identified funds and assets.