EFCC Commences Probe On Missing N500m Chibok Safe School Funds
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced the
probe on the missing N500 million Safe School funds for Chibok girls.
SERAP Senior staff attorney, Timothy Adewale said the probe by the anti-graft agency followed a petition dated December 27, 2016 and sent to Ibrahim Magu by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on N500 million funds commissioned by the former minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to rebuild the Government Girls School in Chibok, that cannot be accounted for.
The agency had in its petition urged the EFCC to invite for
questioning and at the same time name and shame anyone suspected to be
involved in the alleged diversion, including the contractors allegedly
handling the project.
The petition reads in part, “The allegation that N500m has been lost to corruption has resulted in denying the girls access to education, and shows the failure of the former President Goodluck Jonathan government to live up to Nigeria’s commitments under the global Safe School Declaration.
“SERAP believes that the diversion of the funds will expose the school to attacks in the future. This is a fundamental breach of the country’s obligations including guarantees of non-repetition, which contribute to prevention and deterrence of future attacks.”
In a confirmation statement Mr. Adewale said: “We have received confirmation from the EFCC that the body is looking into our petition. The EFCC has also expressed its determination to diligently investigate the allegation of the missing N500 million Safe School funds for Chibok girls, and sought additional information from SERAP.
“SERAP appreciates the prompt attention the EFCC has given to the
matter, and our organization is committed to sending to the EFCC
additional information including any available documentary evidence in
our possession in order to enable the anti- corruption body to get to
the root of the matter, identify suspected perpetrators and bring them
to justice, as well as recover any missing funds.”
SERAP Senior staff attorney, Timothy Adewale said the probe by the anti-graft agency followed a petition dated December 27, 2016 and sent to Ibrahim Magu by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on N500 million funds commissioned by the former minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to rebuild the Government Girls School in Chibok, that cannot be accounted for.
The petition reads in part, “The allegation that N500m has been lost to corruption has resulted in denying the girls access to education, and shows the failure of the former President Goodluck Jonathan government to live up to Nigeria’s commitments under the global Safe School Declaration.
“SERAP believes that the diversion of the funds will expose the school to attacks in the future. This is a fundamental breach of the country’s obligations including guarantees of non-repetition, which contribute to prevention and deterrence of future attacks.”
In a confirmation statement Mr. Adewale said: “We have received confirmation from the EFCC that the body is looking into our petition. The EFCC has also expressed its determination to diligently investigate the allegation of the missing N500 million Safe School funds for Chibok girls, and sought additional information from SERAP.
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