Reps Direct EFCC, ICPC To Recover N3.2bn From Two Former Permanent Secretaries
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has instructed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate and recover N3.2 billion linked to two former Permanent Secretaries of the Federal Ministry of Labour, Williams Alo and Yerima Tafa.
The directive, issued on Monday, follows concerns over financial infractions allegedly committed during the duo’s tenure. The committee criticized Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for consistently ignoring parliamentary invitations, particularly regarding audit queries raised by the Auditor General for the Federation.
Committee Chairman Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun) disclosed that the Ministry of Labour failed to respond to seven letters requesting an appearance before the panel to address 32 audit queries from the 2020 audit report.
“Although the Auditor General made specific recommendations, the committee wrote to the ministry offering a chance to defend itself, but the minister has consistently refused to honour the invitation,” Salam stated.
He warned that the growing disregard for parliamentary oversight undermines public accountability, stressing that Williams Alo and Yerima Tafa should be held responsible for the infractions.
The current Permanent Secretary, Saliu Usman, has been given a 72-hour deadline to appear before the committee and address seven audit queries from the 2021 financial year. Failure to comply will result in the committee endorsing the Auditor General’s recommendations for action.
Additionally, the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Transportation, Women Affairs, and Humanitarian Services—Adeleye Ayodeji, Mariam Keshero, and Yakubu Adams Kofamata—have also been ordered to appear before the committee within the same timeframe.
Salam reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to resolving all outstanding audit queries from 2020 and 2021 before the submission of the 2022 report in April.
During the investigative hearing, committee member Emeka Chinedu criticized the Labour Ministry’s non-compliance, particularly since the Minister of State for Labour and Employment is a former House member who understands the authority and workings of the parliament.
The committee has vowed to ensure accountability for public funds and will escalate matters if necessary to recover the misappropriated N3.2 billion.
