ABUJA: The Ministry of Niger Delta Development is expected to have financial irregularities totalling N20 billion, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is expected to look into.

The Coalition of Anti-Corruption Civil Society Organisations (COCSOD) signed a joint petition that prompted the investigation. The petition was signed by the Convener, Iteveh Nurudeen; the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights; the Association of Media Practitioners in Oil and Gas Producing Areas; Mr. Odey Otunu; and Ambassador Umar Babayero of the Arewa Youth Alliance for Progress and Development.

COCSOD claimed to have violated financial restrictions, irregular procurement practices, money laundering, and illegal disbursement of cash. Funds were laundered using fake receipts and phoney memos, and projects were either completely exaggerated or not completed at all.

In particular, COCSOD highlighted cases of non-execution or diversion of monies intended for educational seminars in Akoko Edo Local Area, Edo State (N21.2 million), medical outreach (N30.2 million), and Ilaje Local Area, Ondo State (N19.3 million), all of which were purportedly diverted. Furthermore, it has been reported that N342 million was improperly used for an extra-budgetary allocation intended for rice palliatives, and N15 billion was misappropriated for flood palliatives.

After first requesting clarification under the Freedom of Information Act, COCSOD did not hear back.

The panel recommended that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ensure accountability in order to strengthen his anti-corruption stance.

It is anticipated that the EFCC’s probe will reveal the scope of the purported financial irregularities and identify the parties involved.