Probe Misuse Of N4.5bn Covid-19 Funds By Kogi Govt, SERAP Tells Buhari

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate alleged misuse of the N4.5billion donations, loans and support the Kogi State Government obtained from the Federal Government, including N90,720,000 reportedly spent on software to track Covid-19 cases in the state.”
SERAP stated that “if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence, anyone suspected to be involved should face prosecution, as appropriate.”
In the letter dated March 27, 2021, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said, “Directing the Attorney General of the Federation and appropriate anti-corruption agencies as recommended is constitutional, and would be entirely consistent with your promise in your inaugural speech to ‘ensure responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country.’”
SERAP quoted Buhari as promising in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2015, that, “The Federal Government would not fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. It will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch.”
SERAP stated, “As you have correctly stated, the obligations of your government to combat corruption in Nigeria extend to all the three tiers of government, namely, the federal, state and local governments.”
The letter, read in part, “Although primarily a matter of concern for Kogi State, the allegations of misuse of Covid-19 funds drawn from the Federal Government have assumed such a proportion as to become a matter of concern to the federation as a whole, and therefore, to your government.
“SERAP is concerned about growing allegations of corruption and mismanagement of public funds in several of the 36 states of the federation, and the apparent lack of prompt, thorough, independent and transparent investigations into these allegations, allowing suspected perpetrators to frequently escape justice.
“Taking prompt action to probe the allegations would promote transparency and accountability; serve the common good, peace, order and good government of the federation (which includes Kogi State). It would help to enhance your government’s fight against corruption and contribute hugely to improving the public confidence and trust in your commitment to combat grand corruption.”