Fraud allegation: Plot to sack Auditor General uncovered
-How ethnic agenda allegedly played out
There are strong indications that the raging controversies surrounding the multi-billion naira fraud allegations in Akwa Ibom State Government Budget may soon claim its biggest victim.
This follows an alleged sinister plot by the state government to oust the State Auditor General, Dr Monday Daniel Akpan.
Morenews.ng has uncovered a calculated attempt to blame the alleged extra-budgetary spending on the Accountant General with a view to using it as a scapegoat to sacrifice and kick him out of office.
Akwa Ibom people have been calling for the heads of principal officials of the state government, including the SSG, Commissioner for Finance, Accountant General of the State and the state Auditor General, for their perceived role in the embarrassments the alleged Multi-billion naira scandal has caused government, if government really wants to prove the error theory.
Although the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong had harped on tempering justice with mercy, Morenews.ng can authoritatively report that a sinister plot has been hatched to pass the buck on the State Auditor General and use it a ploy to force his ouster.
A Hilltop Mansion source, who confided this on Morenews.ng, made reference to the press release issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong before the press conference to give explicit explanation on the fraud allegations.
The release had referred to the authentic version of the “2019 Audited Financial statements as statutorily issued by the State Accountant General” adding that version sent “to Auditor General were imputed on the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) platform” but a source told Morenews.ng that there is more in the statement than the eyes can see.
Morenews.ng gathered that the general impression in government circle is that the leakage of the so-called spurious report can only be traced to the Auditor General office.
The Auditor General had during his office budget defence reportedly contradicted the claims by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong that the 2019 audited financial report was retrieved owing to typographical and coding errors.
He stated that he is not aware of such retrieval and errors in the report.
The Auditor General lamented the neglect of the Auditor General’s office adding that it is only in Akwa Ibom that Auditing office is in a private facility and decried incessant attack of staff and car burglary at the private facility.
The office of the State Auditor-General is an extra-ministerial department saddled with the constitutional responsibility of auditing the accounts and financial statement of the state by processing all cases of audit alarm raised and referred to the Auditor-General for action, among others.
It has a mission a mission to “promote accountability, provide quality audit in the public sector and ensure that public resources are applied for the purpose intended in conformity with extant rules and regulations”
Its belief in “accountability and transparency” in good governance without partiality, fear or favour as well as “ensure that commensurate value is received for every expenditure of public fund”, further opens it up for suspicion in event of “fraudulent spending” as Senator It Enang would put it.
When contacted, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ememobong, while denying ever ruling out punitive measure against those involved in the mess, said he is not aware of any plot to oust the State Auditor General.
He maintained the Office of the State Auditor General is statutory, adding that the Constitutional provision on how to remove whoever at the helms of affairs of the office is clear.
Section 87 of the Nigerian Constitution which speaks on Tenure of Auditor General of Federation gives insight into how Auditor General of the State can be removed:
”’Any person holding the office of Auditor General for the (State) shall be removed from office by the (governor) acting on an address supported by the two–thirds majority of the (House of Assembly) praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct.”
It appears forces at the Hilltop Mansion have plotted to invoke this clause against Fr Monday Akpan, especially the one bothering on misconduct.
Previous failed attempts to oust Auditor General:
This is not time a move has been made to boot the current Auditor General out of Office.
Motenews.ng learned that Dr Monday Akpan had survived three attempts by Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration to oust him thanks to the Constitutional provision.
Thrice within the life time of the present administration, three different individuals, Morenew.ng learned, were sent to replace the present Auditor General without success.
Alleged ethnic agenda
The travails of Dr Monday Akpan purportedly stem from he was appointed by former Governor Godswil Akpabio.
Many syist think that despite working with Governor Udom Emmanuel for more than five years, the Auditor General is still loyal to Senator Akpabio.
Akpan appears to be the only remaining principal official in Governor Udom Emmanuel administration and has been battlingling to prove his loyalty the governor.