The Northern Coalition for Accountability and Public Trust (NCAPT) has pushed back against allegations by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) concerning missing funds from the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). SERAP had called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate an alleged disappearance of N26.9 billion from the USPF, urging the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and USPF Secretary, Yomi Arowosafe, to provide explanations.
NCAPT, through its Executive Director, Amb. Abubakar Yusuf Yaro, released a statement on Wednesday describing SERAP’s claims as inflated and devoid of necessary context. The organization argued that the average yearly budget for the USPF during the period in question was around N7.5 billion, making it illogical to suggest that N26.9 billion could be missing. They pointed out that over N13.8 billion of the alleged missing amount consisted of operating surplus deductions managed directly by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) before reaching the USPF, implying that the fund never actually held those sums.
Furthermore, NCAPT highlighted that procurement processes associated with the USPF underwent proper oversight, including approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and tenders boards, with payments backed by necessary documentation and project evidence. They accused SERAP of conducting a media trial, noting that previous audits and reviews by a House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee found no improprieties in USPF operations.
The organization emphasized that audit observations are not conclusive evidence of fraud but rather queries meant for clarification through established institutional channels. They called on the National Assembly and oversight bodies to independently review documents and allow due process without external pressure, urging SERAP to seek clarification before making public conclusions that could damage institutional credibility.