For alleged diversion of N1.05bn, the Senate Public Accounts Committee has turned its searchlight on the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
According to the senate panel led by Matthew Urhoghide, the move was premised on two queries by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which reportedly exposed the unauthorised withdrawals in its 2018 audited report.
The document indicated that the N457m released to the academy on December 13, 2012 was diverted, while N608m was withdrawn irregularly without concrete reasons.
Also, the rector, Duja Effedua, accused his officials of frustrating investigation.
He said, “I came to kick-start something that I don’t have any information about. They will frustrate every effort to get to the root of the matter. I want an ad hoc committee to be set up to get to the root of the matter.”
Urhoghide gave him three weeks to furnish the committee with details.
The rector, thereafter, assured the lawmakers of his cooperation.
His words, “Audit observed that N457m released to the academy on December 13, 2012 was irregularly diverted to an account (details withheld).
“All efforts made by the audit team to sight the bank statement supporting documents for utilisation of the fund and other relevant details proved abortive. No response from management at the time of this report. Diversion of funds is illegal and deprives government of resources.”
Financial Street gathered that the academy would be sanctioned for failing to clear itself of the allegation.
