The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has recovered and returned to the owners, funds totalling almost N1 billion looted by ministry officials.
Speaking at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja while returning the funds to the appropriate quarters, Ekpo Nta, chairman of ICPC, warned state governments not to tamper with the bailout funds released for their respective states by the federal government for immediate payment of workers salaries.
He said ICP will consistently monitor the funds and their disbursement in all the states that benefited. He added that he was giving the warning due to reports that the bailout funds were not being properly utilised.
“We understand that the bailout funds released to states by the federal government have not been going towards the proper channel. It is important to state here today that the bail out is from the federal government to the states to assist them in paying the salaries of workers,” he said.
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“We will from now on be following how the funds are disbursed in different states to ensure that they get to the appropriate beneficiaries. This is because it is government funds.”
During the occasion, ICPC handed over the looted sum of N924 million to the ministry of environment, represented by Fatimat Mede, permanent secretary; and Ahmed Goni director-general of the Great Green Wall Project.
Recovered from different banks, the money was allegedly stolen from the account of the ministry by some officials “who are facing prosecution at the moment”.
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Nta also handed over a total sum of N58 million spread among the Federal Girls College, Shagamu; Federal Science and Technology College, Ijebu Mushin; and Federal Government College, Odogbolu, which received N28 million, N8 million and N20 million respectively through their principals.
According to Nta, the funds handed over to the schools were part of the total sum of N103 million fund voted for meal subsidies of students and capital projects in the aforementioned schools, whereas the lump sum was diverted by a federal pay officer in Abeokuta, Ogun state.
He vowed that since investigations were still ongoing on the diverted fund, the commission would recovered the entire amount so diverted so far and return them to the owners.
“The successes achieved so far are hinged on he prompt reporting by the ministries and agencies of government, especially by their permanent secretaries, and of course the balanced reporting by the media,” he said.
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“ICPC will continue to recover looted public finds and other proceeds arising from criminal activities linked to corruption investigations and return same to government coffers or to the victims in line with our mandate.”
Responding, Mede thanked the ICPC for the recovered loot, saying it will go a long way in addressing some of the pressing issues, most especially the Great Green Wall programme of the federal government.
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