Amid growing concerns over alleged financial mismanagement, Christopher Agbedikuru, a member of the Concerns Ex-Agitators group within the Presidential Amnesty Programme, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Dennis Otuaro, the programme’s Administrator.
Agbedikuru warns that Otuaro’s continued leadership could jeopardize the initiative aimed at reintegrating former militants.In a statement released on February 18, 2025, referencing a report by SaharaReporters,
Agbedikuru highlighted that Nigeria allocated a staggering N58 billion for the reintegration of ex-militants in 2024, as per data from the Open Treasury Portal.
Alarmingly, N8.8 billion was expended in December alone, prompting Agbedikuru to demand a detailed account of the funds’ utilization, particularly regarding the programme’s delegates.
The proposed budget for 2025 indicates an increase in funding, with N65 billion earmarked for the reintegration of transformed ex-militants this year.
However, concerns mount as the official website of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, osapnd.gov.ng, remains non-functional, displaying a critical error message.
An audit report from the Auditor-General of the Federation has further revealed serious financial irregularities, including over N6 billion withdrawn without appropriate auditing processes.
Notably, N1.53 billion was allocated for tuition fees without sufficient documentation, breaching the Financial Regulations of 2009.
The report also brought to light that N3.62 billion was raised without internal audit oversight, resulting in potential public fund losses.
Additionally, N1.3 billion was reportedly approved and paid without the requisite paid vouchers, raising further questions about transparency and fiscal accountability.
Agbedikuru’s call for President Tinubu to investigate Otuaro’s management of the programme reflects deepening unease over the effectiveness and integrity of the Presidential Amnesty Programme at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s social reintegration efforts.
