Politics
N9.424bn Expenditure: Audit Report Indicts NASS
Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF) has indicted management of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Service Commission for embarking on an unexplained N9.424 billion expenditure in the 2019 financial year.
About N5.521 billion of such expenditure was credited to the House of Representatives in five different audit queries; N3.595 billion was credited to the Senate in seven audit queries; and N307.676 million was credited to the National Assembly Service Commission in two audit queries.
The queries are contained in the ‘AuGF Annual Report on Non-compliance/Internal Control Weakness Issues in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria for the Year Ended December 31, 2019’.
The report (reference number AuGF/AR.2019/02), addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly and dated September 15, 2021, was signed by the AuGF, Adolphus Aghughu.
According to the report, N2.550 billion was granted to members of the House of Representatives as running cost between July and December 2019 without evidence to show what the funds were used for, neither was the money retired.
It also said N258 million was given to 59 staff of the House, while another N107.912 million was given to two staff for repairs and maintenance of unspecified residential quarters, denying government of the statutory Value Added Tax (VAT) and Withholding Tax (WHT) of N10,791,296 accruable, if the work had been awarded to contractors.
The report said N1,594,807,097.83 was paid to revenue authorities between February and December 2019 as Pay As You Earn (six members); Car loan (five members); and housing loan (six members) without acknowledgment receipts from relevant revenue authorities.
It also queried payment of N1,010,598,610.97 from the salary account of the House without vouchers as required by law and asked the Clerk to explain the irregularities and ensure the amount involved is returned to government treasury.
It indicted the National Assembly Service Commission for failure to retire about N31.927 million cash advance granted to 59 staff of the commission and failure to remit one per cent stamp duty of N276,749,014.68.
It said further that about N219.645 million deducted as housing loan from some Senators were not remitted.
“The sum of N219,645,567.08 was deducted from 107 senators’ salary arrears between July and December 2019 as housing loan and there was no evidence to show that the above amount was remitted to the Treasury,” the report states.
It noted that N123.320 million and N176.267 million deducted from senators’ salary arrears between July and December 2019 as vehicle loans and PAYE from staff salaries were remitted to the appropriate authority.
The report said N277.411 million deducted as VAT and WHT from services rendered were not remitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Services, while the office of the Clerk failed to present payment vouchers of N1,718,130,630.24 for audit verification.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.
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