Senate panel suspends auditor-general’s budget defence over ‘infractions, lack of preparedness’

The senate committee on public accounts has suspended the budget defence of the office of the auditor-general of the federation (OAGF) over alleged infractions and lack of preparedness.

The auditor-general’s office risks zero allocation for 2025 because the deadline for budget defence for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) is Wednesday after which standing committees of the red chamber will present their reports to the appropriations committee.

During a session on Tuesday, members of the committee said Shaakaa Chira, the AGF, failed to provide satisfactory answers about the 2024 budget performance of his office.

“The auditor-general is expected to audit other agencies, but his own office is not meeting the standard. He has until the deadline to return prepared,” Ahmed Wadada, chairman of the public accounts committee, said.

Osita Isunazo, a member of the committee, said the inability of Chira to provide detailed information about the 2024 budget performance makes it difficult to proceed.

“The discrepancies in the documents and the inability to provide detailed explanations for 2024 spending make it impossible to proceed,” he said.

Efe Dafinone, senator representing Delta central, said the OAGF made some “irregular spending”.

“It is concerning to see 65/70 percent of the budget was spent in the final months, which suggests rushed, last-minute spending,” he said.

Some of the senators on the panel also raised concerns over “duplications” in the documents presented by Chira.

Thereafter, the committee suspended the session and asked the AGF to return on Wednesday with proper documents.