AGF denies involvement in transfer of N585m to private accounts
The AGF clarified that her office received the request from the ministry but did not execute the payment. Instead, the ministry was advised on the proper steps to take in line with established payment procedures.
AGF denies involvement in transfer of N585m to private accounts
The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr Oluwatoyin Madein, has disowned the disbursement of N585,189,500.00, challenging the process that led to the transfer into a personal account.
The funds, intended for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states, were allegedly directed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, to be paid into a private account.
In response to the leaked document showing the payment instruction, Rasheed Zubair, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister, defended the payment process, stating that it followed due process.
According to Zubair, the grant was directed to Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, the Project Accountant of Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
However, the AGF, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, refuted involvement in the payment process, emphasising that it is not within her purview to make payments for projects and programmes on behalf of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The AGF clarified that her office received the request from the ministry but did not execute the payment. Instead, the ministry was advised on the proper steps to take in line with established payment procedures.
The AGF stated that payments for projects should be processed by the relevant ministries as self-accounting entities, and bulk payments should not be made to an individual’s account.
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Dr. Madein emphasised her commitment to upholding principles of accountability and transparency in managing public finances, urging MDAs to adhere to proper financial transaction procedures.
This revelation raises concerns about the transparency and accountability of government disbursements, highlighting the need for robust systems and checks to ensure public funds are used appropriately for their intended purposes.