ABUJA – The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation has indicted Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), for spending ₦64,020,310 on unapproved Christmas and Sallah gifts to staff in 2021, in violation of federal financial regulations.
According to the recently submitted annual report to the National Assembly, the university disbursed the funds in nine separate payments between February and December 2021 without due approval.
The spending is one of 32 financial infractions committed by the university between 2020 and 2021, which also include:
· Failure to remit ₦578 million in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the Federal Government.
· Overpayment of ₦40 million in severance benefits to a former Vice-Chancellor.
· Questionable payments totalling ₦5.4 billion through contract awards above threshold, bypassed procurement procedures, and payments for unexecuted projects.
The report cited violations of Paragraphs 415 and 713 of the Financial Regulations Act 2009, which prohibit spending without due economy and prohibit paying public funds into private accounts.
It noted that the university’s management failed to respond to queries or justify the expenditures, leaving the findings valid until recommendations are implemented.
The Auditor-General recommended that the Vice-Chancellor be held accountable and prosecuted if the unremitted funds are not returned to the Federation Account.
It also urged the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee to enforce compliance or apply sanctions under financial regulations.
Disclaimer:
This report is based on the official Auditor-General’s annual report submitted to the National Assembly. CDA News Nigeria supports transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
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