Senate confirms Aghughu Adolphus as auditor-general

The senate has confirmed Aghughu Adolphus as auditor-general for the federation.

President Muhammadu Buhari had appointed Adolphus in January to replace Anthony Ayine, the former auditor-general, who attained the retirement age of 60.

Buhari’s letter seeking the confirmation of Adolphus was read on the floor of the senate last Tuesday.

His confirmation followed the presentation of a report by Urhoghide Matthew, chairman of the senate committee on public accounts, at the plenary session on Wednesday.

Urhoghide said, during the screening, the committee found the nominee qualified to be appointed given his years of experience.

He added that Adolphus answered the questions directed at him satisfactorily during the screening.

“Consequently, the committee, having been satisfied on his qualifications, performance and suitability of the nominee, recommends him for confirmation by the senate as auditor-general for the federation,” he said.

In his remarks, Ahmed Lawan, president of the senate, said the upper legislative chamber will do more to support the auditor-general to be “effective and efficient”.

“We have achieved so much by giving the auditor–general the financial autonomy which he requires, but I think we can do better as a government,” he said.

“The audit house is still not a befitting headquarters for the office of the auditor-general for the federation.

“The auditor-general needs office accommodation, like the treasury house, like the EFCC office complex, where it can accommodate all its staff to carry out their auditing jobs.

“A situation where the audit staff are resident in the organisations where they should audit is unacceptable.

“So, we need to do a lot more to support the auditor-general for the federation to be more effective and efficient.”