NGF To NASS: Probe Jonathan Over Missing $49.8bn

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), yesterday called on the National Assembly to institute an independent firm to audit the Federation Account, following alleged misappropriation of the fund.
The forum, under the chairmanship of Rivers  State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike  Rotimi Amaechi, made the call in a communique issued after its meeting in Abuja.
“On the issue of the missing $49.8 billion  (about N8.5 trillion), there is no evidence that the amount was paid into the Federation Account or duly appropriated.
“We accordingly call on the National Assembly to institute a comprehensive independent forensic audit by an international reputable firm.
“We fear that the recent decline of state revenue is not unconnected with the financial diversion,’’ the forum said.
The communique, read to newsmen by Amaechi, condemned the recent killings in Borno and the attack on the father of Kano State Governor, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso.
It also condemned the violation of citizens’ right to freely assemble in Rivers by the Police, and the alleged shooting of Sen. Magnus Abe on January 10, in the state.
The forum also called on the Federal Government to convene a meeting of statutory institutions as enshrined in the constitution.
Such institutions, it said, include the National Economic Council (NEC), Council of States, Nigeria Police Council and the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
It linked the alleged financial irregularities in public accounting and the continuous breach of the 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act to the non convening of such meetings.
According to the forum, the NEC meeting, where such issues could be discussed, was last held four months ago.
The NGF meeting, attended by seven governors and four deputies, also called for a return to constitutionalism in the country.
Governors at the meeting were those of Rivers, Lagos, Adamawa, Edo, Jigawa, Imo and Ekiti States, while Nassarawa, Kwara, Zamfara and Kano states, were represented by their deputies.

Vice President Namadi Sambo, laying a wreath, during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja last Wednesday