Audit Query: Summon FIRS Chairman, CG Immigration, others over diversion of public funds

Reps to quiz FMC Medical Directors over N10bn Public fund, other infractions

…

The House of Representatives has summoned the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), . Zacch Adedeji and Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Wuraola Adepoju over financial infraction in breach of extant financial regulations.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Bamidele Salam (PDP-Osun) issued the notice during the investigative hearing into the 2019 Audit Queries issued by the office of the Auditor General of the Federation (oAuGF).

Worried by the flagrant disregard to the resolution passed by the Committee, Hon. Salam directed accounting officers of Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMET), Investment and Security Tribunal (IST), and Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) to appear before the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday, 14th November, 2023.

In their separate remarks, members of the Committee described the actions of the erring agencies as unacceptable especially in view of the previous invitations extended to them and the grievous nature of the allegations levelled against them in the 2019 Auditor General’s Report which have not been responded to.

The Committee also directed the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nassarawa State to appear on Tuesday next week with necessary documents in support of various expenditure totaling about N10 billion queried by the Auditor General for the Federation.

The Committee wondered why the Medical Director who had been in office for close to seven years should continuously seek for an extension of time to respond to explain infractions bothering on diversion of public funds, non-remittance of internally generated revenue to the federation accounts, payment of allowances without the approval of the salaries and wages committee among other allegations.

Also, the Committee directed the Acting Registrar of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria to provide documentary evidence in support of his answers to ten audit queries issued by the Auditor General for the Federation.

A member of the Committee , Hon. Zachariah Nyampa expressed concerns at the fact that the council had been in the habit of using delay tactics to frustrate the work of the Public Accounts Committee especially in the 9th Assembly.

Speaking at the hearing Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Hon. Bamidele Salam reiterated the commitment of the Committee to exhaustive and impartial investigation into the various issues of alleged violations of financial regulations by the MDAs in carrying out their mandate.

Also at the meeting, the Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Isa Ali who came in company of the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Ali Madaki expressed the support of the House leadership to the work of the Public Accounts Committee stressing the revolve of the 10th Assembly Leadership to strengthen all committees in a manner that will ensure proper accountability by all Ministries, Departments and Agencies.