EXTRA: Women affairs minister threatens to sue UN over management of donor funds

Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, minister of women affairs, has threatened to sue the United Nations (UN) for allegedly mismanaging funds meant for Nigeria.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Kennedy-Ohaneye accused the UN of obtaining funds on behalf of the country without remitting them.

The minister said if the global body does not furnish her ministry with the necessary records on or before November 15, she would take legal action.

“I stand here as the minister of women affairs to demand from the UN, the account of all the monies they sourced from donors in Nigeria’s name. We want to see the account of what they did,” she said.

“If you don’t give us this account, at least let Nigerians see what is going on, then you [UN] apologise to them.

“From 16th of October to November 15, if we don’t get those reports for Nigerians to see, we are heading to court. [They have] from 16th October to November 8.

“They will get our pre-action letter that is to prepare that by 15th we are heading to court and I am promising Nigerians that by 15th you will hear the lawsuit number.”

The minister did not state the specific amount the UN allegedly took on behalf of Nigeria or what the funds were meant for.

However, by virtue of the convention on the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, and the UN charter, the organisation is immune from suits unless it expressly waives its immunity.