The House of Representatives is investigating allegations that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, under its minister, diverted N1.5 billion meant for contractor payments. 

The House Committee on Women Affairs launched the investigation in Abuja in response to contractor petitions regarding non-payment of contracts.

The committee’s chairman, Rep. Kafilat Ogbara, stated that the ministry initiated new contracts not included in the 2023 budget.

She went on to say that while owing contractors, the ministry issued new contracts in 15 states of the federation, which she said was not included in the 2023 budget.

According to her, ”money for contractors has not been paid and money has been diverted, so how do you pay these contractors?”?

She stated that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and other related offences are currently investigating the ministry’s overhead release of N1.5 billion in November/December 2023.

According to Ogbara, the petitioners also claimed that the ministry had purchased seven tricycles for an Abuja military barracks.

She claimed that the ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American University of Nigeria, Yola, to fund the Chibok girls’ education expenses for seven years.

Mr. Aloy Ifeakandu, Director of Finance and Administration in the ministry, stated that he merely followed formal directions from his superiors and that the records are available.

He said, “I resumed at the ministry in September 2023; I wouldn’t know what happened before I came.

“The individual contractors have their files; they can be traced, as at the time I took over, there was no balance in the vote.”

Mr. Gabriel Aduda, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, exonerated himself, stating, “In 2023, we had a total budget of N13.6 billion, while the total release was N3.4 billion.”

According to him, this represents 25% budget utilisation, with an unpublished balance of N10.2 billion.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation confirmed that the N1.5 billion had been released to the minister.

Meanwhile, the committee has asked Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, Minister of Women Affairs, to appear before it on Tuesday, July 9.

The committee also directed the ministry to halt all contract processes in 2024 until the situation is handled, while requesting a dedicated account for the Chibok girls and the MoU.