Edu has reportedly directed the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, to transfer public funds totaling over N585 million to a private account held by a project manager, Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola…CONTINUE READING

According to SaharaReporters, a letter dated December 20, 2023, from Edu to the AGF, with reference number FMHAPA/HQ/OHM/S.208, requested the transfer of funds to the specified private account.

The letter, titled ‘Mandate for Payment of Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun States Respectively,’ approved the sum of N585,189,500.00 for programs and activities under the Renewed Hope Grant for Vulnerable Groups.

The breakdown included N219,429,750.00 for the 2023 Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Akwa Ibom State, N73,828,750.00 for Cross River State, N219,462,250.00 for Lagos State, and N72,468,750.00 for Ogun State.

The payment, according to the letter, was to be made to a UBA account (number: 2003682151) belonging to Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, with instructions for the transaction to occur from the National Social Investment Officer account (account number: 0020208461037) to the specified project accountant’s details.

Sources informed SaharaReporters that this practice of allowing the Accountant General of the Federation to transfer public funds into private accounts based on ministerial requests raises concerns about corruption.

The report also revealed that on November 6, the ministry transferred N72,423,250 to Bayelsa State and N72,374,500 to Kogi State on the same day, just five days before the governorship election.

Additionally, on November 3, 2023, N81,390,750 was transferred to Imo State, seven days before its governorship election.

Amidst reports of irregularities in the conditional cash transfer program, the Nigerian House of Representatives summoned Edu on October 31, 2023, to provide details on the status of the federal government’s conditional cash transfer program to 15 million households.

Lawmakers expressed concern over transparency and alleged fraudulent practices, urging the minister to clarify data collation and fund distribution.

The program was launched by President Bola Tinubu in October as part of efforts to address poverty and vulnerability in the country.