SERAP Demands Probe Over N1.3bn Allocated to Non-Existent Presidential Council

SERAP has asked President Tinubu to investigate the release of N1.3 billion to a “Presidential Council” that the group says does not exist, describing it as potential misappropriation of public funds.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately order a full investigation into the allocation of N1.3 billion to a supposed “Presidential Council” that the group says does not exist.

In a statement issued on Saturday, SERAP described the allocation as a clear case of potential misappropriation of public funds and demanded that those responsible be identified and sanctioned in line with the law.

The organisation said it obtained documents showing that the sum was budgeted and released under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for a council that has no legal backing, operational structure, or verifiable activities.

SERAP urged the President to direct the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation to provide detailed information on how the N1.3 billion was spent, including the names of beneficiaries, supporting documents, and evidence of work done.

The group also asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to commence a probe into the matter without delay.

SERAP warned that failure to investigate and recover the funds would amount to tolerance of corruption at the highest level of government and would further erode public trust in the administration’s fiscal responsibility.

The organisation noted that at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with rising costs of living, fuel prices, and inflation, the allocation of such a large sum to a non-existent body is particularly unacceptable.

This latest demand adds to several other petitions SERAP has sent to the President and anti-graft agencies regarding alleged mismanagement of public funds, abandoned projects, and wasteful expenditure.

As of the time of this report, the Presidency, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the EFCC had not issued any official response to SERAP’s demand.