According to Leadership, The House of Representatives’ Committee on Women Affairs has launched a probe into the alleged misappropriation of N1.5 billion meant for contractor payments by top officials at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.
Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, has been summoned to explain the disbursement of the funds.
During the investigation, the ministry's Director of Finance, Mr. Aloy Ifeakandu, reported following orders from superiors and assured the committee that detailed transaction records were available for scrutiny.
The inquiry stemmed from a petition by Ministry contractors to the House of Representatives, citing billions of Naira in outstanding payments for completed projects.
Committee Chair Hon. Kafilat Ogbara accused the ministry of unauthorized contracts not in the 2023 budget and diverting N1.5 billion meant for existing contractors. She revealed that new contracts were issued in 15 states outside the 2023 budget, despite pending payments to contractors.
Expressing concern, Hon. Ogbara questioned the feasibility of compensating the contractors given the circumstances. She also disclosed that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) was probing the ministry's misappropriation of N1.5 billion in overhead funds released in November/December 2023.