The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Shakirat Madein, to submit the Federal Government’s 2022 Consolidated Financial Statement to the Auditor General, as mandated by the 1999 Constitution. During a recent session in Abuja, the committee, led by Rep. Bamidele Salam, voiced concerns over the poor execution of the capital portion of the 2024 budget, which the Accountant General reported at a mere 25%. The committee noted that this limited implementation could hinder Nigeria’s economic growth objectives. Rep. Salam highlighted Nigeria’s lag in the timely submission and review of audit reports compared to countries like Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda. He attributed this setback to the consistent delay in the submission of financial statements by the Accountant General’s office. Addressing the issue of low revenue remittances from government-owned enterprises, the PAC chairman stressed the need for more rigorous steps to prevent financial leakages. He recommended automating revenue collection processes and conducting regular audits to ensure accountability. The committee further instructed the Accountant General, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Interior to urgently resolve outstanding issues regarding the non-automation of revenue collection from foreign missions. This measure aims to improve transparency and efficiency in public financial management. Rep. Salam also revealed that the 2021 Auditor General’s report, recently submitted to the National Assembly, would be reviewed promptly after the passage of the 2024 Appropriation Bill. In her defense, Mrs. Madein cited the delay in submitting the 2022 financial statement as a result of insufficient data on government revenue from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). However, she assured the committee that significant progress had been made and committed to completing the process within two months. She also briefed the committee on various initiatives aimed at improving financial accountability, including a review of the 2009 Financial Regulations, which is awaiting the Federal Executive Council’s approval for implementation. READ ALSO Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a strong warning to officials collaborating with state governors to divert allocations meant for the country’s 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs). According to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, criminal proceedings will be initiated against culprits, emphasizing the need to uphold financial autonomy for LGAs as mandated by a Supreme Court judgment. Enforcing Financial Autonomy for Local GovernmentsSpeaking at the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Abuja Chapter of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), the AGF highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that local governments operate independently. He labeled the mismanagement of LGA funds by governors as both a criminal and impeachable offense. Fagbemi criticized the practice of state governors installing loyalists in LG positions through flawed elections, which undermine the principle of accountability. While the Federal Government cannot directly intervene in LGA elections, it plans to prosecute elected officials who misuse funds allocated from the federation account. Tackling Governance MismanagementFagbemi condemned the deplorable state of many LGA secretariats across the nation. He recounted instances where local governments had to seek state governors’ permission to perform basic administrative tasks, such as purchasing office supplies. He stated: “Governors have immunity, but local government officials do not. If you engage in fund mismanagement, you risk facing imprisonment.” The AGF lauded President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering stance on protecting local government autonomy despite significant pressure. Judiciary’s Role in Justice DeliveryThe conference also explored the judiciary’s responsibility in upholding justice and enforcing judgments. In a keynote address, Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN, stressed the need for courts to prioritize fairness over technicalities. He urged judges to provide lawyers with adequate opportunities to present their cases effectively. Representing the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mr. Abdullaziz Olumo advised journalists against sensational reporting and cautioned against “trial by media,” which could prejudice ongoing cases. Media’s Responsibility and Advocacy for ReformThe Chairman of the Abuja NAJUC Chapter, Mr. Kayode Lawal, reiterated the media’s dedication to unbiased reporting. He advocated for reforms to ensure that legal professionals compromising judicial integrity face strict consequences. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
