CSOs, Falana Demand Probe Into N78.8bn Cash Transfer Funds

CSOs, Falana Demand Probe Into N78.8bn Cash Transfer Funds

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda HEDA Resource Centre has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC for its reported progress in recovering proceeds of corruption and financial crimes, while human rights lawyer Femi Falana and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project SERAP have demanded accountability over more than N78.8 billion linked to the Federal Government’s cash transfer programme.

HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, said the EFCC’s reported recovery of approximately N1.23 trillion and $684.48 million between October 2023 and June 2026, alongside forfeiture orders covering more than 10,000 assets, represented significant progress in Nigeria’s fight against corruption. The recovered assets reportedly include 1,177 properties, 251 plots of land, 370 vehicles and a 753-unit housing estate in Abuja. HEDA said the recoveries could contribute to public welfare, strengthen accountability and restore citizens’ confidence in the fight against corruption. It also welcomed the allocation of recovered funds to initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund NELFUND and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation CREDITCORP. Meanwhile, Falana urged the EFCC to work with the Auditor-General of the Federation to investigate and recover N33.75 billion in cash transfers reportedly not verified as having reached genuine beneficiaries. The Auditor-General, Shaakaa Chira, had disclosed that the Federal Government could not provide sufficient evidence that the funds, intended for more than 3.29 million vulnerable households, reached the intended beneficiaries. Falana called for the immediate investigation of the alleged diversion and prosecution of anyone found culpable. SERAP also urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the National Cash Transfer Office NCTO and the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office NASSCO to account for the funds. The organisation called for the publication of records and audit trails relating to the cash transfers, including beneficiary details, payments, verification records, authorisations and reconciliations. SERAP further demanded explanations over N36.744 billion in payments made without prepayment audits, N4.616 billion in unsupported expenditures, N350.182 million in enrolment payments, N89.511 million in store purchases and N17.422 million in diesel advances. The group also called for investigations into N76.24 billion in questionable and unaccounted-for expenditures at NCTO and N2.55 billion at NASSCO, with any funds improperly spent, diverted or lost recovered and remitted. The demands come amid growing calls for stronger transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, particularly resources earmarked for vulnerable Nigerians.