SERAP Tells Tinubu to Probe Ecological Funds Collected Since 2001

By Adedapo Adesanya

The recent flood in Nigeria has once again spurred the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to call on President Bola Tinubu to investigate the spending of the billions of Naira of Ecological Fund collected by Borno State since 2001.

The group also demands the probe of the N816 million collected by the state between January 2024 and June 2024.

Business Post reports that in 2022, following the expiry of an ultimatum given to the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the missing ecological funds at all levels, the group filed a lawsuit against the federal government.

Now, it is calling on President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to look into the matter.

SERAP said suspected perpetrators of allegations of corruption and mismanagement of ecological funds should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any proceeds of corruption should be fully recovered.

In the letter signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Your government has a legal obligation to address the prevalence of flooding across the country and its effect on people, and to ensure that the money meant to stop the floods is not lost to corruption.”

The letter, read in part: “The devastation in Borno highlights your government’s obligation to promote and ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of ecological funds by all tiers of government and emergency management agencies.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.

“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“Your government has legal obligations to ensure the protection of the rights of flood victims in Borno and elsewhere in the country.”