The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate two former Permanent Secretaries of the Federal Ministry of Labour, Williams Alo and Yerima Tafa, following their alleged involvement in financial infractions of about N3.2 billion during their tenure.
The committee, during a hearing on Monday, condemned the growing disregard for parliamentary summons by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), noting that many institutions have failed to respond to audit queries issued by the Auditor General for the Federation.
The Chairman of the committee, Hon Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun), revealed that the Labour Ministry had ignored seven invitations to appear before the committee. Despite being given opportunities to respond to 32 audit queries from the 2020 audit report, the ministry neither provided an explanation nor submitted the required documents.
Salam lamented the increasing trend of MDAs disregarding parliamentary oversight, warning that such actions undermine accountability for public funds approved by the National Assembly.
The committee ordered that Williams Alo and Yerima Tafa, who served as accounting officers when the infractions occurred, be held responsible. In addition, the current Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Saliu Usman, has been given a 72-hour deadline to appear before the committee and respond to seven audit queries from the 2021 financial year. The committee further warned that failure to do so could lead to the endorsement of the Auditor General’s recommendations for further action.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Transportation, Women Affairs, and Humanitarian Services—Adeleye Ayodeji, Mariam Keshero, and Yakubu Adams Kofamata—have also been directed to appear before the committee within 72 hours.
Salam reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to addressing audit queries from the 2020 and 2021 financial reports before the 2022 audit report is submitted in April.
During the investigative hearing, a committee member, Hon Emeka Chinedu, expressed disappointment over the situation, particularly noting that the Minister of State for Labour and Employment—a former House of Representatives member—should understand the authority and workings of the parliament and ensure compliance with its directives.
The committee further insisted that accountability must be upheld and will not tolerate any attempts to undermine financial transparency in government institutions.
 and the){kind=link}