Stop payment to MDA’s till further notice, Tinubu orders CBN

In a bid to assert control over his administration and tackle corruption, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend further payments to the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government until further notice.

According to a reliable source within the presidency in Abuja, the directive was issued prior to the suspension of CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, who has since been handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.

The primary objective behind President Tinubu’s directive is to ensure accountability within the MDAs and prevent the misappropriation of government funds. The order was categorical and encompassing, leaving no room for exceptions.

As a consequence of this directive, the MDAs have imposed a complete embargo on payments to their creditors, causing significant operational challenges. The government funds that were previously channeled through the CBN are now inaccessible, resulting in mounting debts and delayed settlements with external parties, including media houses owed for advertisements.

A Director General of a federal government agency, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the directive has severely disrupted their operations for the past two weeks, as they are unable to access necessary funds to support their activities. However, the source expressed hope that the situation would be resolved soon, as staff salaries are still being paid directly from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

In a related development, President Tinubu has also approved the suspension of the Assistant Director in Charge of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and other officials within the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) on allegations of salary padding.

Reports suggest that numerous civil servants across various MDAs, including the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the OAGF, have been implicated in the salary padding scandal involving the IPPIS. The Assistant Director responsible for staff salaries allegedly colluded with other employees to inflate the wages of lower-level staff.

An official from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation confirmed the suspensions and revealed that those involved are under investigation. The scam came to light when a level 7 officer received a salary far exceeding their appropriate range, equivalent to that of a director.

In response to these incidents, comprehensive measures are being implemented to strengthen controls within the IPPIS payment system. An independent forensic audit of the entire payroll system is also underway to determine the extent of the breach and whether it is an isolated case or widespread.

President Tinubu’s actions demonstrate his commitment to promoting transparency and accountability within the government. These latest directives aim to curb financial misconduct, ensure responsible use of public funds, and foster a more efficient and trustworthy administration.

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