Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, the Accountant-General of the Federation, has refused honoring the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betty Edu’s, alleged N585.198 million payment request.
The minister had requested that the amount be sent to the personal account of a certain Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
Betty Edu’s request was contained in a letter dated December 20, 2023 and referenced: FMHAPA/HQ/S.208.
She said that the money was intended for handouts to underprivileged groups in the states of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos.
However, in response to the controversy sparked by the payment request, the AGF stated that she would not honor the request.
It was not her role, she claimed, to make payments for projects and programs on behalf of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Dr. Madein’s viewpoint was stated by the OAGF’s Director of Press, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, in Abuja this afternoon.
She noted that allocations are issued to self-accounting MDAs in accordance with the budget, and that such MDAs are responsible for project implementation and payment.
The AGF claimed that, despite receiving the Ministry’s request, her office did not make the payment.
Betty Edu’s Ministry, on the other hand, was informed on the proper actions to follow in making such payments in accordance with the established payment protocol.
According to the AGF, in such cases, payments are often processed by the concerned ministries as self-accounting organizations. Furthermore, no bulk payments should be sent to an individual’s account in the Project Accountant’s name.
She went on to say that such payments should be made to the recipients via their verified bank accounts.
Dr. Madein reaffirmed her commitment to upholding the values of accountability and openness in public finance management.
She advised MDAs to always take the necessary precautions when conducting financial transactions.