From:Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The African Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has commended renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana for urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to transfer the recovered N32.7 billion and $445,000 to the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).
According to ANEEJ, this request cames at a crucial time when Nigeria’s social protection system requires greater transparency, credibility, and resources.
ANEEJ made this known in a statement released to the media in Kaduna yesterday.
It noted that the EFCC recently recovered N32.7 billion and $445,000 that had allegedly been misappropriated by officials of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.
Falana said redirecting these funds to NSIPA would help alleviate the hardships faced by over 133 million Nigerians who are multi-dimensionally poor.
He said the recovered funds were originally designed for social investment programs, including, conditional Cash Transfers, which provide financial assistance to vulnerable populations.
ANEEJ emphasized that redirecting the funds is not enough, saying strong mechanisms for monitoring, accountability, and transparency must also be established.
It said the EFCC and other anti-corruption bodies should enhance oversight regarding how these funds are disbursed and utilized within NSIPA and related programs.
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