The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded the immediate suspension of officials in charge of the National Cash Transfer Office and ordered a full-scale investigation into the N33.75 billion cash transfer that the Auditor-General for the Federation states the Federal Government has failed to properly account for.
HURIWA emphasizes that Nigerians cannot continue to watch helplessly as billions of naira meant for poor and vulnerable citizens disappear into unverifiable transactions.
HURIWA calls for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch a vigorous forensic investigation, trace every naira, and recover any amounts determined to have been wrongly paid, diverted, or misapplied.
The Auditor-General’s findings reveal a significant breakdown in financial controls governing one of the Federal Government’s most sensitive social intervention programs, as payments to 3,295,207 households across 35 states in 2023 could not be authenticated.
HURIWA demands explanations for incomplete beneficiary details on payment vouchers and the unavailability of necessary Remita statements for reconciliation purposes. Disturbingly, auditors were reportedly obstructed by National Cash Transfer Office staff from accessing these records.
HURIWA insists on a thorough investigation to follow the money from government accounts to the final recipients, stating that no official should use bureaucracy to shield themselves as unverified billions remain in limbo. The organization urges the EFCC to verify each payment and identify genuine vulnerable Nigerians among the beneficiaries. Misallocated funds must be recovered, and those responsible held accountable.
Moreover, HURIWA stresses that this situation extends beyond the N33.75 billion, highlighting additional discrepancies totaling N36.74 billion and stressing the need for a comprehensive audit of the entire National Cash Transfer Programme.
HURIWA challenges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to uphold public accountability and restore faith in government poverty-alleviation efforts. The organization insists that political connections should not shield individuals from accountability and demands prompt action.
HURIWA demands the Federal Government:
1. Suspend officials of the National Cash Transfer Office pending investigation.
2. Direct the EFCC to conduct a full forensic probe into the N33.75 billion and related transactions.
3. Trace every naira and identify persons/entities that received funds.
4. Recover misallocated funds and return them to the Treasury.
5. Publish credible disbursement records.
6. Investigate and prosecute those obstructing auditors.
7. Conduct a full audit of the social intervention programme and publish findings.
8. Prosecute culpable individuals following investigations and due process.
HURIWA urges that the funds meant for vulnerable citizens must reach them and calls for immediate action to restore public trust in government operations.
Find the money. Recover the money. Name those responsible. Prosecute the culpable. Return Nigerians’ money to the Treasury.
That is the minimum accountability Nigerians deserve.
Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
September 07, 2026
