The Nigerians in Diaspora (NiDO) Worldwide has asked the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to give an explanation to the 13-audit observations raised by the Auditor-General for the Federation’s annual report.

The NiDO-WW continental leaders disclosed this in a statement jointly issued on Sunday in Abuja.

The leaders include Mr Chibuzo Ubochi, Chairman, NiDO-Europe and Coordinating Chairman of NiDO-WW; Dr Fatoye Olufemi, Chairman of NiDO-Africa; Dr Chris Fayomi, Coordinator of NiDO-Oceania; Dr Victor Ubani, Chairman of NiDO-Americas; and Dr Franca Akinola, Chairman of NiDO-Asia.

The NiDCOM has since officially pushed back against media reports surrounding financial irregularities flagged in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s 2024 report, describing the claims as a politically motivated “campaign of calumny and blackmail”.

The controversy follows revelations from the Auditor-General’s Annual Report on Non-Compliance and Internal Control Weaknesses—transmitted to the National Assembly—which highlighted 13 unresolved audit observations totalling over ?1.3 billion in questioned transactions from the 2023 financial year.

In an official response issued by NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Commission maintained that all expenditure records and supporting vouchers remain intact and fully verifiable.

But the NiDO-WW leaders insisted that accountability to the report would help to strengthen NiDO-WW, which considered the audit observations a concern to NiDCOM.

NiDO-WW cited the report, which covered the period from January to December 2023, to border on a response from NiDCOM management against the Accountant-General’s observations, saying the findings remained valid pending implementation of the recommendations.

The organisation’s leaders cited audit observations concerning payments for diaspora events where evidence of contract execution was not produced, alleged contractor overpayments, breaches of tax deduction and federal e-payment rules.

Others include misapplication of funds between expenditure heads, cash advances above statutory limits and five vehicles recorded in NiDCOM’s books not sighted during physical verification.

“NiDO Worldwide does not prejudge any person, and we do not lend our name to trials by social media. We, therefore, do not reproduce the schedule of transactions and figures in this statement.

“They are set out, item by item, in the Auditor-General’s own report, which is a public document. Our concern is not to restate the arithmetic. It is to insist that the audit observations be answered,” they said.

The leaders stressed that the answer to such a query lies in the vouchers, contracts, approvals and delivery records, not in the guest lists.

While calling for prompt submission of all outstanding audited financial statements, and continuing compliance with applicable public-finance, procurement and audit requirements, they reiterated the need for effective implementation of the Auditor-General’s lawful recommendations, including recovery and remittance to the Treasury where recommended.

Also, they called for the application of prescribed sanctions wherever the competent authorities determine them to be applicable. (Daily Trust)