It is believed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has assigned operatives to monitor state government that have received bailout funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The spies of the ICPC are mandated to pay close attention to funds disbursement, Punch reports.
N338bn was approved by the Federal Government for the affected states, to help them settle the salary arrears of their workers.
19 states have reportedly received not less than N222bn out of the fund.
Some of the states include: Kwara (N4.32bn); Osun (N34.99bn); Zamfara (N10.02bn); Abia (N14.15bn); Adamawa (N2.38bn); Ekiti (N9.6bn); Oyo (N26.6bn); and Ogun (N18.9bn).
As a result of the precedence of funds mismanagement by governors, ICPC is said to have felt the need to assign monitoring agents to ensure that the governors do not divert the funds.
“The bailout is meant for the payment of workers’ salaries. Any default on the part of any governor will not be treated lightly. That is why we have deployed our men to the states to monitor the spending of the money. There will be serious sanctions for anyone who defaults in the spending of the bailout,” a reliable source told our correspondents.
“Though the governors have immunity, the ICPC will not spare the commissioner of finance in any state where the bailout is diverted. Such commissioners will be charged to court, tried and we hope they will get jail terms without the option of fine.
“In line with the provision of the ICPC Act, there is no hiding place for corrupt people.”
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