Reps issues 72-hour ultimatum to AGF to submit report on N100bn COVID-19 funds

The House of Representatives has given a 72-hour ultimatum to the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Oluwatoyin Madein, demanding a comprehensive report on the utilisation of N100 billion COVID-19 intervention funds.

The fund was allocated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies between 2020 and 2022.

Rep. Bamidele Salam, the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, issued this ultimatum in Abuja on Wednesday.

He expressed disappointment with the AGF’s failure to comply with the committee’s resolution to submit the report by October 27, 2023.

The House had mandated the committee to investigate the expenditure related to COVID-19 interventions, particularly in the years 2020 to 2022.

Salam stated, “A letter was sent to the Accountant General, requesting details of all disbursements according to the Appropriation Act and other interventions provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria to MDAs.

He said the submission deadline was set for Oct. 27, adding that as of now, the committee had not received the requested information.

He emphasised the importance of this document for guiding their investigation, while instructing the AGF to submit the report by Friday, November 3, 2023.

The House’s resolution came in response to a motion regarding the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 intervention funds from 2020 to 2022, which were allocated to various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.