Reps probe missing $44m from NIA vaults

By Umar Muhammad Puma

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the alleged missing $44 million from the vaults of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
To this end, the House has mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence to investigate the matter and report back within two weeks.
Part of the committee’s mandate is also to investigate the controversies surrounding the appointment of the new Director-General of the agency, Rufai Abubakar, as it relate to his nationality and the allegations of incompetence to handle the office.
The resolution followed the unanimous adoption of a motion under matters of urgent public importance by Rep. Diri Douye, who noted that the NIA was yet in another scandal just few days after the new DG assumed office.
“The nation is yet to recover from the shock of the ‘Ikoyigate Safe House’ scandal involving 43.4 million dollars, 23.2 million naira and 27, 800 pounds, the report of which is yet to be made public,’’the lawmaker recalled, as he urged a probe into the issues surrounding the appointment of Abubakar as the new DG of the agency.
He argued that the identity, nationality, citizenship and competence of Abubakar has become a subject of controversy.
“The controversy over the appointment and the cash scandal paint a poor picture of the country’s national security and diminishes the reputation of the agency”, he added.
Also speaking on the motion, Chairman of the committee on works, Rep Toby Okechukwu said that the controversy was causing the country monumental embarrassment, adding that the Committee should expedite action on the investigation of the alleged missing money, as well as the controversy surrounding the appointment of the new DG.