Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye’s women’s affairs ministry spent N45 million on New Year’s party, N20 million for sanitary pads, Reps allege
The House of Representatives has queried the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, for unrelated expenditures, including N45 million for a New Year party and N20 million for sanitary pads, including N1.5 million for vehicle fuel.
Kafilat Ogbara, chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, led the minister’s interrogation over the non-payment of N1.5 billion to contractors despite the release of funds.
She said that the investigative hearing was aimed at uncovering the truth and not witch-hunting the minister and the officials of the ministry.
The committee also investigated the alleged diversion of funds meant for contractor’s payments following a petition from contractors.
The committee also sought clarification on funds appropriated for the African First Lady’s mission and the whereabouts of the N1.5 billion meant for contractor payments.
The minister, however, denied the allegations of misappropriation, overspending, and non-payment to contractors.
The procurement officer confirmed contractors’ claims, and the director of finance and administration acknowledged only paying approved contracts.
The committee had summoned the minister to appear before it at its last sitting to explain the rationale behind the non-payment.
The committee also ordered the stoppage of all 2024 contract processes by the women’s affairs ministry until the money’s whereabouts are determined.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Africa
Guterres demands Africa’s minerals create jobs, backs permanent UN seats
António Guterres has demanded an end to the plundering of Africa’s mineral resources, insisting the continent’s wealth must create jobs and prosperity for Africans.
Economy
Nigeria push for end of exploitation of Africa’s mineral resources at UNGA81
President Bola Tinubu has called for a fresh continental push to end the exploitation of Africa’s critical mineral resources.
Heading 4
Lawyer Ikeni Mbako-Allison suspended after being found guilty of harassing woman in UK
“Ikeni Mbako-Allison, a barrister, behaved in a way which is likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public would place in him or in the profession,” the BSB said.
Abuja
Dangote Refinery: Abuja motorists, commuters decry delay in petrol price cuts
Motorists and commuters across Abuja have decried petrol stations’ failure to reduce petrol prices following the Dangote Refinery’s latest N25 per litre cut.
Anti-Corruption
Crown Medical Solutions, owners reach agreement with U.S. govt over fraudulent billing scheme
Crown and its owners, Michelle and Philanzo King, have agreed to pay $825,000 to resolve allegations of submitting false claims to Medicare for payment.
World
UK govt charges Vincent ‘Bajinya’ Brown with crimes linked to Rwandan genocide
The UK police, in a statement on Monday, said Mr Brown was the first to be charged in the UK over a link to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
