EFCC to probe jumbo allowances of Senators, Reps
Yusuf Alli, Abuja 13/08/2010 01:14:00
• Group alleges NASS members’ pay not approved by revenue commission
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday said it would probe alleged jumbo allowances and illegal quarterly allocation by members of the National Assembly.
The Commission’s Director of Operations , Mr. Steve Otitoju, made the disclosure while receiving a petition from the Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM) in Abuja.
The petition was signed by an Abuja lawyer, Mr. Kayode Ajulo and Mr. Law Mefor, on behalf of 76 other Nigerians.
TNM is asking the EFCC to probe allowances and quarterly allocations to Senators and members of the House of Representatives.
It alleged that some of the allowances and quarterly allocations were not approved by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
The EFCC however said it will look into the petition.
Otitoju, who stood in for the Chairman of the EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri, said: "The EFCC is committed to its statutory responsibilities; we will continue to do the job assigned to us. We have been doing it, and we will not relent in our efforts.
"You specifically requested that those people found culpable if investigation is concluded should be prosecuted. Of course, we have a track record on this; you are all living witnesses to that. We prosecute people and our cases are before the court.
"Also, we will go in line with the laws of the land. If any matter is before and we are able to secure court ruling, any fund that has been illegally spent or somehow misappropriated is refunded to the purse of the Federal Government.
"Most of the time, through our efforts misappropriated funds had been refunded to the government. This has been going on and we will continue to do that. This is not going to be an exception.
"We will not treat it anyhow; we will do a thorough job. We will do what you have given us, we will take action."
The TNM petition reads in part: "The attention of the Transform Nigeria Movement(TNM) has been drawn to uncontradicted reports that in addition to the regular and legitimate salaries and allowances of N17million and N14.99million which members of the National Assembly(Senators and Representatives) were collecting yearly and the irregular allowance of estacodes, duty tours etc, they were also collecting N192million and N140million respectively in illegal quarterly allocation which is not provided for by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission(RMAFC).
"In the circumstances, we therefore urge you to use your good offices to cause investigation in the following terms:
"Confirm the actual and total payments made to each member of the National assembly in salaries and allowances annually.
"Investigate the veracity of the allegations of corruption and financial impropriety made by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and other eminent Nigerians, against the members of the National Assembly".
Yusuf Alli, Abuja 13/08/2010 01:14:00
• Group alleges NASS members’ pay not approved by revenue commission
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday said it would probe alleged jumbo allowances and illegal quarterly allocation by members of the National Assembly.
The Commission’s Director of Operations , Mr. Steve Otitoju, made the disclosure while receiving a petition from the Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM) in Abuja.
The petition was signed by an Abuja lawyer, Mr. Kayode Ajulo and Mr. Law Mefor, on behalf of 76 other Nigerians.
TNM is asking the EFCC to probe allowances and quarterly allocations to Senators and members of the House of Representatives.
It alleged that some of the allowances and quarterly allocations were not approved by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
The EFCC however said it will look into the petition.
Otitoju, who stood in for the Chairman of the EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri, said: "The EFCC is committed to its statutory responsibilities; we will continue to do the job assigned to us. We have been doing it, and we will not relent in our efforts.
"You specifically requested that those people found culpable if investigation is concluded should be prosecuted. Of course, we have a track record on this; you are all living witnesses to that. We prosecute people and our cases are before the court.
"Also, we will go in line with the laws of the land. If any matter is before and we are able to secure court ruling, any fund that has been illegally spent or somehow misappropriated is refunded to the purse of the Federal Government.
"Most of the time, through our efforts misappropriated funds had been refunded to the government. This has been going on and we will continue to do that. This is not going to be an exception.
"We will not treat it anyhow; we will do a thorough job. We will do what you have given us, we will take action."
The TNM petition reads in part: "The attention of the Transform Nigeria Movement(TNM) has been drawn to uncontradicted reports that in addition to the regular and legitimate salaries and allowances of N17million and N14.99million which members of the National Assembly(Senators and Representatives) were collecting yearly and the irregular allowance of estacodes, duty tours etc, they were also collecting N192million and N140million respectively in illegal quarterly allocation which is not provided for by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission(RMAFC).
"In the circumstances, we therefore urge you to use your good offices to cause investigation in the following terms:
"Confirm the actual and total payments made to each member of the National assembly in salaries and allowances annually.
"Investigate the veracity of the allegations of corruption and financial impropriety made by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and other eminent Nigerians, against the members of the National Assembly".
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