The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) found itself under intense scrutiny before the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee, facing a barrage of questions and directives stemming from alleged financial irregularities and non-compliance with established regulations. The committee, chaired by Bamidele Salam, delved into the NIS’s financial dealings, scrutinizing audit queries spanning from 2020 to 2023, along with the utilization of service-wide votes and operating surpluses. The heart of the matter revolved around the NIS’s failure to submit audited accounts to the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) for a decade, from 2014 to 2023, rendering the FRC unable to determine the Service’s liability regarding the remittance of operating surpluses. This omission, the committee asserted, constituted a violation of both financial regulations and the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Further deepening the NIS’s predicament was a contract awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited for the furnishing of the NIS Technology Building at its Abuja headquarters. Valued at N2.01 billion, the contract exceeded the NIS’s approved threshold and was awarded without the requisite approvals from the Federal Executive Council and the Parastatal Tender Board. The committee’s investigations also uncovered that the NIS received N6.1 billion from the federal government between 2021 and 2023, allocated as N2 billion for capital expenditure and N4.1 billion for recurrent expenditure. Of particular concern was a payment of N1.7 billion made to Julius Berger for the furnishing contract, from which the mandatory stamp duty was not deducted. This oversight prompted the committee to demand the recovery and remittance of the N15 million stamp duty to the Federal Inland Revenue Service within seven days, accompanied by evidence of the transaction.
Representing the Controller General of Immigration, Deputy Controller General Ada James attempted to clarify the financial discrepancies. She explained that the N4.1 billion received in December 2022 was promptly mopped up the following day and that the N2 billion allocated for capital expenditure was used to settle outstanding debts with domestic contractors. Mrs. James admitted the NIS’s failure to deduct the stamp duty on the N1.7 billion payment to Julius Berger, further acknowledging the lapse in submitting audited accounts. The committee, however, remained resolute in its demand for accountability, giving the NIS a seven-day ultimatum to provide proof of the rendition of its audited accounts from 2014 to 2023.
In addition to the stamp duty issue, the committee further directed the NIS to furnish proof of the Federal Executive Council’s approval for the N2.01 billion contract awarded to Julius Berger. The Service was also reminded of its legal obligation to respond to eight outstanding audit queries raised by the Auditor General for the Federation in 2020 and 2021. These queries pertained to financial infractions totaling N19.2 billion, further compounding the NIS’s accountability challenges. The committee’s rigorous questioning and firm directives underscore the importance of adherence to financial regulations and transparency in government spending. The NIS’s response to the committee’s demands will be crucial in determining the extent of the financial irregularities and the appropriate course of action to rectify the situation.
The case of the NIS highlights the critical role of oversight bodies like the Public Accounts Committee in ensuring accountability and probity in public finance management. The committee’s meticulous examination of the NIS’s financial records and its insistence on compliance with regulations serve as a deterrent against potential financial mismanagement and promote responsible use of public funds. The seven-day deadline imposed by the committee underscores the urgency of addressing the identified issues and providing the necessary documentation to clear the NIS of any wrongdoing. The outcome of this inquiry will not only impact the NIS but also serve as a precedent for other government agencies, reinforcing the importance of adhering to established financial protocols and maintaining transparency in their operations.
The NIS now faces the task of providing concrete evidence to support its claims and address the committee’s queries. The submission of audited accounts, proof of Federal Executive Council approval for the Julius Berger contract, and a comprehensive response to the Auditor General’s queries will be crucial in demonstrating the NIS’s commitment to financial rectitude and accountability. Failure to comply with the committee’s directives could lead to further investigations and potential sanctions, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the importance of swift and decisive action on the part of the NIS. The public scrutiny surrounding this case underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability within government institutions, especially in the management of public funds.
