By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded the immediate suspension of officials of the National Cash Transfer Office and a full-scale investigation into N33.75 billion in cash transfers which, according to the Auditor-General for the Federation, the Federal Government has failed to properly account for.

HURIWA said the reported financial discrepancies raised serious questions about the management of funds meant for poor and vulnerable Nigerians under the National Cash Transfer Programme.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, on Monday, the organisation called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a forensic investigation, trace the funds and recover any money found to have been wrongly paid, diverted or misapplied.

“Nigerians cannot continue to watch helplessly as billions of naira meant for poor and vulnerable citizens disappear into unverifiable transactions,” HURIWA said.

According to the organisation, the Auditor-General’s findings revealed weaknesses in the financial controls surrounding the programme, particularly payments made to 3,295,207 households across 35 states in 2023 which auditors reportedly could not authenticate.

HURIWA demanded explanations over incomplete beneficiary details on payment vouchers and the reported absence of Remita statements required to reconcile the transactions.

The group also expressed concern over reports that staff of the National Cash Transfer Office obstructed auditors from accessing relevant records.

“The EFCC must verify each payment and identify genuine vulnerable Nigerians among the beneficiaries. Misallocated funds must be recovered, and those responsible held accountable,” the organisation said.

HURIWA said the matter went beyond the N33.75 billion identified in the audit findings, pointing to additional discrepancies totalling N36.74 billion and calling for a wider audit of the entire National Cash Transfer Programme.

The organisation urged the Federal Government to publish credible disbursement records showing where the funds went and who received them.

It also demanded that officials found to have obstructed auditors be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with due process.

HURIWA challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to public accountability and restore confidence in government poverty-alleviation programmes.

The group maintained that political connections should not shield anyone found culpable from accountability.

“Find the money. Recover the money. Name those responsible. Prosecute the culpable. Return Nigerians’ money to the Treasury,” HURIWA demanded.

The organisation further called for the suspension of National Cash Transfer Office officials pending investigation, a forensic probe of the N33.75 billion and related transactions, recovery of misallocated funds, publication of disbursement records and a comprehensive audit of the social intervention programme.

HURIWA said the ultimate objective should be to ensure that funds intended for vulnerable Nigerians reach their legitimate beneficiaries.

“That is the minimum accountability Nigerians deserve,” the rights group said.