The unfolding suspicion of misappropriation of intervention funds meant to address the COVID-19 pandemic is a clear pointer to the necessity for full investigation into how the huge resources allotted the scourge was utilized. Irregularities so far uncovered might be part of the reasons that many Nigerians felt betrayed by government’s inadequate response, and perhaps why some lives were lost. A full inquiry is necessary to unravel the entire saga and bring to book erring public officials. It is equally important that in future, official response to emergencies and life-threatening natural occurrences are upgraded in the paramount interest of Nigerians.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recently discovered that about 10 billion naira meant for the development of COVID-19 vaccines is still lodged in the accounts of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the government, about three years after the intervention. Indeed, the ICPC had set up teams or monitoring groups to track the disbursement of US 3.4 billion dollars COVID-19 interventions received from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by about nine MDAs of the government, from the point of disbursement to utilization. And the commission has uncovered that over 100 million naira, slated for Wi-Fi, was lodged in one of the personal accounts of an employee of an MDA.

In the midst of these anomalies, the Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Deinde Dipeolu, issued an order of mandamus directing and compelling the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Ms. Sadia Umar-Farouk, to make public the details of how N729 billion palliative funds were purportedly paid to 24.3 million poor Nigerians over six months.

The order Is sequel to a Freedom of Information suit by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which is simply echoing the dissatisfaction of Nigerians on how the huge money was expended with very little public impact.

It is disheartening that funds designated for the care and welfare of the sick, socially displaced, pensioners, prisoners, hungry, and poor are routinely embezzled or mismanaged by some corrupt public officials. Last year, the House of Representatives mandated its Committee on Public Accounts to investigate the embezzlement of N183.9 billion COVID-19 intervention funds. Given the disruption of economic, social, political, and cultural activities during the last COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government initiated various programmes, policies, and interventions to combat the pandemic, alleviate the suffering of the people, and boost the economies of families, small businesses, and public corporations. One such measure was the allocation of over N183.9 billion as a COVID-19 intervention fund through the Federal Budget. The mishandling of the funds show how inhuman some public officers could be. How can an government employees descend to the low level of stealing money meant for the sick, the poor, the socially displaced, and COVID-19 victims?

During the last COVID-19 pandemic, many Nigerians died in various COVID isolation centers across the country due to a lack of basic oxygen. Others, particularly the elderly who were vulnerable or in need of critical medical attention, died because they had no access to basic healthcare services, again owing to corruption by public officials. Nigerians will not easily forget how COVID palliatives supplied by the government to be freely distributed among vulnerable and indigent Nigerians were diverted and hoarded in private warehouses by some greedy individuals for their commercial profiteering. It is preposterous that while COVID was devastating Nigeria, the staggering sum of N183.9 billion in COVID-19 intervention funds was being mismanaged by various government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies at that time.

These COVID-19 systemic frauds undermined the efforts to halt the devastating effects of the disease and the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria. The pandemic exposed weaknesses in the healthcare system, such as inadequate infrastructure and resources. Most hospitals and healthcare facilities were overwhelmed, with shortages of medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and healthcare workers. Apart from the lockdown, which brought enormous hardships to many Nigerian families, the pandemic caused significant economic disruption. Many businesses closed or reduced operations, leading to job losses and decreased income for many Nigerians. Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound and multifaceted impact, causing mental strain and anxiety, and affecting health, the economy, and social and family structures. It is pathetic that while many Nigerians were dying and suffering from COVID, some greedy individuals were busy embezzling the COVID intervention funds.

The Federal Government should take a multi-faceted approach to ensure accountability in the COVID intervention funds, recover stolen funds, prosecute all those accused of stealing the COVID intervention funds, and prevent future occurrences of such theft. First, government should conduct thorough and independent investigations to identify those responsible and prosecute them in accordance with the law. The government should strengthen anti-corruption institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and ICPC, as well as ensure transparency in the allocation and use of public funds.

Any Minister, in or out of service; or any other official, individual or group involved in fraudulent or corrupt practicesshould be made accountable. It is unconscionable and a grave betrayal of public trust that a country in debt and running a deficit should overlook its ministers embezzling public funds. Public officeholders took an oath of office to serve the Nigerian people. It is a big paradox for the same public officeholders to serve their pockets by stealing government funds. It shows that they are completely insensitive to the plight of suffering Nigerians.

The government should encourage whistleblowers to report routine corruption and theft of government funds by providing robust legal protections and incentives to whistleblowers. The Tinubu government should engage civil society organizations and anti-corruption NGOs in monitoring and reporting the use of public funds. More importantly, more efforts should be made to enforce existing laws and policies to deter those contemplating the theft of government funds.

By taking these steps, government can demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption, restoring public trust, and ensuring that public funds meant for public welfare are used effectively and transparently.

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