An audit report has revealed how
the sum of N10.4 billion was approved and released by the ministry of justice
under Abubakar Malami without due process.
According to the PUNCH, the
audit, conducted by the office of the auditor-general of the federation (AGF)
and signed by Anthony Ayine, the auditor general, showed the amount was
released in 2017.
The report was said to have also
shown how officials of the ministry spent N32.5 million on foreign travels for
only about six months without approval.
It said the judgement debt,
usually awarded to a winning party against the losing party in court, was
disbursed when the committee in charge of how such funds was yet to be
reconstituted after being disbanded in 2013.
The report read: “Examination of
the budget of the Federal Ministry of Justice revealed that the sum of N460.95m
was appropriated for payment of judgment debts for 2016 and N10bn appropriated
for 2017, totalling N10.46bn.
“Further examination revealed
that the committee saddled with the responsibility of managing the fund was
dissolved after the 2013 financial year and is yet to be reconstituted after
the 2016 and 2017 appropriations.
“However, the ministry has been
disbursing this sum without a committee in place. Lack of control could lead to
loss of public funds.”
The report added that the sum of
N32.5 million was expended as estacodes
and return air tickets for officials of the ministry of justice between March
and September without due process.
It said 68 vouchers from payments
amounting to N71.19 billion and paid between March and August, 2017 were not
produced for audit, as required by the constitution.
“The inability of the ministry to
attach evidence of approval from the Head of Service (in the case of the civil
servants) and approvals from the President (in case of a minister) was a violation
of the provision of the circular HCSF/CSO/HRM/POL.1420/1 dated January 22, 2015
and HCS/PS/SPSO/244/1/26 of July 25
2016, respectively,” the report was quoted as stating.
“Incurring expenditures without
necessary approvals could lead to loss of public funds,” it added.
“The Solicitor-General of the
Federation and permanent secretary is requested to recover the sum of N32.35m
and pay to Consolidated Revenue Fund and evidence of recovery forwarded for my
confirmation.”
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