A former National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, has alleged that ₦3 billion in leftover Covid-19 funds was paid into 11 different accounts without her authorisation or approval.
Shehu, who made the allegation during an interview on a television programme yesterday, while denying allegations that she diverted ₦44 billion, insisted that she never transferred any money into a personal account and said she reported alleged financial irregularities within the agency to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other authorities before her suspension.
According to her, she had been investigated by the EFCC and provided documents and facts to assist the agency with its investigation. She maintained that the evidence she supplied was enough to exonerate her from the allegations.
“The EFCC has investigated me. I helped them to do their job while I was in office. I did a whistleblowing. To the payment of the three billion Naira Covid leftover of Covid-19 funds to 11 accounts. All without my authorization, consent or approval. How come all the reports I gave to EFCC didn’t matter? I was the first to register the complaints, but again, I got a reprisal instead of an honor”.
Shehu also alleged that there were violations of laid-down financial procedures involving the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. She questioned why investigative authorities allegedly relied only on the minister’s report, saying she discovered weak financial controls within NSIPA after assuming office and began conducting her own audit.
She alleged that more than 10 officials were appointed into NSIPA by former minister Betta Edu in violation of the agency’s mandate. She also alleged that funds were moved without her approval, authorisation or consent and that some transactions were initiated by Edu and handled by programme managers who reported to her. She claimed that more than $300 million was drawn from an $800 million World Bank-supported programme without her involvement.
Shehu maintained that no money was traced to her personal account, friends or any member of her family. Shehu said she had raised concerns with Edu and the permanent secretary about the movement of funds and how such transactions could be accounted for.
Recall that in January 2024, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demanded the removal of Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation over an alleged misappropriation of ₦585 million in palliative funds. Edu faced public backlash following the disclosure of a leaked memo directing the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer ₦585 million to a private account. The minister also approved funds for flight tickets and airport taxis for ministry staff travelling to Kogi State, which does not have an airport.
Shehu’s latest allegations come against the backdrop of previous scrutiny of financial transactions within the humanitarian affairs ministry and NSIPA.
