Falana Demands EFCC Probe into N33.75bn Cash Transfers

On Sunday, Femi Falana, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and recover N33.75 billion in cash transfers that have allegedly not been accounted for under the Federal Government’s social investment programmes. Falana, who is the Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), urged the EFCC to prosecute any public officials found guilty of diverting funds intended for over 3.29 million vulnerable households.

This call followed revelations from the Auditor-General for the Federation, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira, indicating that the Federal Government could not provide sufficient evidence that the N33.75 billion reached genuine beneficiaries. Falana noted that the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act 2022 transformed the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) into a statutory agency responsible for various social programs.

He alleged that the agency has become susceptible to corruption and mismanagement. Falana also referenced past investigations involving former Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq and Dr Betta Edu regarding financial misconduct.