A request to look into Mojisola Alli-Macaulay, a former Lagos State legislator, for allegedly diverting COVID-19 palliatives is still pending before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
BudgIT and Connected Development (CODE), two Nigeria-based civil society organisations, wrote a joint petition to the ICPC on October 31, 2020, after social media reports that she used the relief items as part of her birthday souvenirs.
Alli-Macaulay was recently appointed as the Executive Director (Operations) of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). This appointment enraged many Nigerians, as they revisited the controversies surrounding the palliatives.
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The petition reads in part: “A case in point is the allegation against Honourable Mojisola Alli-Macaulay. On October 28, 2020, a social media report showed that she allegedly diverted CACOVID relief items for personal use, as part of her birthday souvenirs. We find these allegations of corruption to be a gross violation of Nigerian laws, which is tantamount to using public office to appropriate support of vulnerable Nigerians for personal gain.”
However, FIJ learned that the ICPC, which mission includes lawful enforcement and preventive measures, has not notified BudgIT and CODE about any investigations it has conducted up to now.
ICPC’s mission and vision statements obtained on its website
A copy of the petition which was acknowledged by ICPC
Iyanuoluwa Bolarinwa, head of open government and institutional partnership (OGIP) at BudgIT, told FIJ that the only response they received from the ICPC was an acknowledgement of the petition, dated November 3, 2020.
“The petition was acknowledged. However, we were not informed of any investigation. Till now, no dust has been raised. It’s in limbo,” said Bolarinwa.
Also, CODE stated in an X (formerly Twitter) post that the appointment of the ex-lawmaker eroded public trust in government institutions like the ICPC.
The approved appointment of Hon. Mojisola Macaulay as the Executive Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) raises serious concerns that erodes public trust in government institutions like the @icpcnigeria and @officialEFCC who are saddled with the responsibility… pic.twitter.com/RIUfs2whaF— Connected Development [CODE] (@Connected_dev) July 14, 2024
“CODE calls on the ICPC to start an investigation now! We also call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the relevant committees to review this appointment to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability in governance, not reward alleged misconduct,” it wrote on X.
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FIJ sent an email to the ICPC on Sunday but got no response.
When our reporter called one of the phone numbers on the ICPC website on Monday, a woman who answered the call said she would check the email, download and send it to the appropriate quarters for response. But no response was received.
On Tuesday, our reporter called Demola Bakare, the ICPC spokesperson, who promised to “revert as soon as possible”. However, he has not provided feedback since then.
The post ICPC Mute 4 Years After Receiving Petition to Probe ‘Diversion of COVID-19 Palliatives by Mojisola Alli-Macaulay’ appeared first on Exposed.Quest The Quest for X !.