Falana Demands Prosecution, Recovery of N33.75bn Meant for Poor Nigerians

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged failure to account for N33.75 billion earmarked for cash transfers to vulnerable Nigerians.
Falana, who is Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), also urged the EFCC to work with the Auditor-General for the Federation to recover the funds if investigations establish that they were diverted.
He made the call in a statement following concerns raised in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s 2024 Annual Report on Non-Compliance/Internal Control Weaknesses in federal ministries, departments and agencies.
According to the report cited by Falana, the Federal Government could not provide sufficient evidence showing that the N33.75 billion in cash transfers reached genuine beneficiaries.
The funds were reportedly intended for more than 3.29 million vulnerable households under the National Social Investment Programme.
Falana described the development as alarming, particularly because the government had introduced measures aimed at improving beneficiary tracking and preventing the inclusion of ghost recipients.
He urged the EFCC to immediately investigate the allegations and make its findings public.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission should liaise with the Auditor-General of the Federation with a view to recovering the missing N33.75 billion,” Falana said.
He further called for the arrest and prosecution of anyone found responsible for the alleged diversion of funds meant for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Falana also recalled previous investigations involving officials of the humanitarian affairs ministry, including former minister Sadiya Umar Farouq, who was investigated by the EFCC over alleged money laundering involving more than N37.1 billion.
He also referenced the suspension of former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu following a December 2023 directive involving the transfer of N585 million in public intervention funds to a private bank account.
The former CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, was also suspended and questioned over alleged suspicious movement of funds.
Beyond the N33.75 billion controversy, Falana raised concerns about the implementation of a $3.05 billion development programme package unveiled by President Bola Tinubu in July 2026 and supported by the World Bank.
He urged the Federal Government to strengthen accountability mechanisms and ensure that funds allocated for poverty reduction actually reach the intended beneficiaries.
Falana also proposed establishing an oversight body comprising credible civil society organisations to monitor the disbursement of development funds and help prevent abuse.