The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called for the investigation of financial irregularities identified in the Auditor-General’s 2022 report across Nigeria’s federal institutions.
SERAP said the findings raised serious concerns over the management and accountability of public resources, alleging that billions of naira were either not remitted to government or spent without adequate supporting documents.
The organisation also said the report identified funds allegedly paid for contracts that were not executed, irregular contract awards, monies that were not properly accounted for and funds suspected to have been misapplied.
In a statement as part of its Auditor-General Watch series, SERAP urged relevant authorities to investigate the findings promptly and transparently and make the outcome of such investigations public.
“SERAP calls on the relevant authorities to promptly, transparently and effectively investigate these findings, publish the outcome of the investigations, recover any public funds found to have been improperly spent or lost, and prosecute anyone suspected to be responsible where sufficient evidence exists.”
The organisation stressed the need for government agencies to act on audit reports rather than allow them to remain unattended.
“Nigeria has no shortage of audit reports. What is urgently needed is effective follow-up and accountability,” SERAP said.
It added that the Auditor-General’s findings should not be allowed to “gather dust”, stressing that Nigerians deserved explanations on how public funds were managed.
SERAP said it would continue reviewing the Auditor-General’s reports and highlighting significant findings requiring government action.
“The Auditor-General’s findings must not gather dust. Nigerians deserve answers,” the organisation stated.
