The House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development has summoned Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, to appear before it on Tuesday, July 9. She is to address allegations of diverting approximately N1.5 billion earmarked for contractor payments.
Committee Chairman Hon. Kafilat Ogbara (APC, Lagos) issued the directive during an interactive session with ministry officials, stressing that the minister must bring relevant documents to account for the missing funds.
The committee's action follows a petition from ministry contractors regarding non-payment for executed contracts worth billions of Naira. It has halted all 2024 contract processes pending resolution of the diversion allegations.
Additionally, the committee requested details from the minister about a special account reportedly opened for Chibok girls and the memorandum of understanding with the American University of Nigeria for their education.
Ogbara alleged that the ministry initiated new contracts not included in the 2023 budget and diverted the N1.5 billion intended for old contractor payments into these new projects.
She highlighted that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) is investigating the ministry over the alleged diversion of N1.5 billion released for overheads in November/December 2023.
In response, the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Amb. Gabriel Aduda, clarified that the 2023 budget allocated N13.6 billion, with only N3.4 billion (25%) released, leaving N10.2 billion unreleased.
Director of Finance Aloy Ifeakandu stated that he followed directives from superiors and affirmed that records are available. He joined the ministry in September 2023 and emphasized that any financial discrepancies could be traced through contractor files.
The committee continues its probe into the alleged misappropriation of N1.5 billion intended for contractor payments within the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
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