How NNPC dubiously paid N36.4 billion water projects money to ex-NSA Dasuki’s office – Audit Report

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in 2014 diverted N36.4 billion meant for the construction and rehabilitation of dams in Nigeria, and dubiously paid same to the Office of the National Security Adviser, a government audit has said.

Former NSA Sambo Dasuki is currently standing trial for alleged corruption, following revelations that his office diverted $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms for the fight against Boko Haram. Mr. Dasuki denies any wrong doing.

The funds, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, were instead distributed to government cronies and politicians ahead of the 2015 general elections. The bulk of the funds allegedly channelled through the NSA’s office for political purposes, came from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The 2014 federal audit report, presented to the National Assembly on Monday, said illicit payments also came from the state oil company, NNPC.

The report said N36.4 billion meant for the Ministry Water Resources for construction and rehabilitation of dams, was instead paid to the Office of the National Security Adviser under Mr. Dasuki.

It was unclear what the money sent to the NSA’s office was meant for.

The report indicted key Nigerian government offices, accusing them of illegally expending and refusing to pay over N3 trillion to the government’s purse.

Key amongst the offending offices are the NNPC, the National Assembly and the Nigerian Prisons Service.

The NNPC squandered about N3.3 trillion, failing to remit same to the government, the report said. The sum was the highest illegally spent by any government agency.

The report said N3.2 trillion oil revenue and $235.7 million gas sales proceeds, from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, were not paid to the Federation Account.

-Premium Times