FALANA: ARREST AND PROSECUTE OFFICIALS OVER DIVERTED N33.75 BILLION SOCIAL INTERVENTION FUNDS
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By: Muftau Fatimo
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged diversion of N33.75 billion meant for cash transfers to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana called on the anti-graft agency to collaborate with the Auditor-General for the Federation to recover the funds and prosecute any public officials found responsible.
The demand follows a revelation by Auditor-General Shaakaa Chira that the Federal Government could not provide adequate evidence to auditors confirming that the N33.75 billion in cash transfers reached the intended beneficiaries — more than 3.29 million vulnerable households.
The findings were detailed in the Auditor-General’s 2024 Annual Report on Non-Compliance and Internal Control Weaknesses in Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Falana described the development as deeply troubling, raising serious questions about the management of funds meant to ease poverty and support vulnerable citizens.
He stated: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission should liaise with the Auditor-General of the Federation with a view to recovering the missing N33.75 billion. Furthermore, the EFCC should embark on an immediate investigation of the serious allegation of the criminal diversion of the sum of N33.75 billion in cash transfers earmarked for poor and vulnerable people in the country. All the characters involved in the shameful conduct should be arrested and prosecuted without any delay.”
The lawyer noted that the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) was established as a statutory body under the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act 2022, passed during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The law empowers NSIPA to design social investment programmes, manage beneficiary databases, strengthen payment and accountability systems, and partner with state governments and development agencies.
Programmes covered under the Act include N-Power, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, the National Cash Transfer Programme, the National Social Safety-Net, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, and the Grant for Vulnerable Groups.
Falana alleged that corruption involving certain public officials has undermined the effective management of these initiatives.
He recalled that the pioneer Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, was previously investigated by the EFCC over alleged money laundering involving more than N37.1 billion.
He also noted that in April 2026, a Federal Capital Territory High Court issued an arrest warrant for Farouq and her former Permanent Secretary, Bashir Alkali, after they repeatedly failed to appear for arraignment.
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