The House of Representatives has indicted 31 federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over financial irregularities involving ₦103.8 billion and $950,912, based on findings from the Auditor-General’s 2019 and 2020 reports.
Adopting the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) recommendations at Tuesday’s plenary, the lawmakers directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to recover the funds and ensure they are remitted into the federation account.
Rep. Bamidele Salam, who sponsored the motion, cited widespread internal control failures, unauthorized expenditures, and procurement violations. Among the key findings, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was ordered to refund ₦124 million and $795,000 for unauthorized spending on a presidential lodge project in Ethiopia, alongside other questionable payments totaling over ₦58.6 million.
The Bank of Agriculture was flagged for failing to recover ₦75.6 billion in loans. Lawmakers mandated that the names of the debtors be published in three national newspapers and that ₦350 million be recovered and reported within 90 days.
Other affected MDAs include the Nigeria Correctional Service (₦7.47 million in unpaid taxes), the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), which must recover 12 diverted vehicles and refund ₦12 million, and Kwali Area Council in the FCT, which was asked to recover ₦82 million paid to unnamed individuals.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) was indicted over ₦1.3 billion in infractions, including ₦394 million for unauthorized projects and ₦969 million illegally transferred to a Eurobond ledger. The Veterinary Council of Nigeria and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NCSL) were also directed to refund several millions in unremitted revenues, debts, and misappropriated funds.
