The Northern Coalition for Accountability and Public Trust (NCAPT) has criticized the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) over allegations of financial irregularities involving the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). The coalition described the claims as misleading and lacking proper context.
Coalition Questions N26.9 Billion Allegation
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Amb. Abubakar Yusuf Yaro, NCAPT argued that public accountability should not be reduced to headline activism and media sensationalism. The coalition stated that available records and independent findings do not support claims that N26.9 billion was missing from the USPF.
According to the group, its internal review showed that the USPF received an average annual allocation of about N7.5 billion during the period under review. Simple arithmetic raises a legitimate question: how does an institution with an average yearly funding of N7.5 billion suddenly lose N26.9 billion?
NCAPT further claimed that more than N13.8 billion of the amount being referenced related to operating surplus deductions managed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) before transfers were made to the USPF. The USPF does not receive or retain those funds in the first place, the coalition stated.
Group Defends Procurement and Project Implementation Processes
The coalition also defended the implementation structure of telecommunications infrastructure projects funded through the USPF, noting that such projects naturally span multiple fiscal years. Broadband expansion projects, ICT centers, and telecommunications infrastructure are not completed within short periods and are executed through recognized government budgeting procedures.
The coalition clarified that procurement processes referenced in the allegations passed through established approval channels, including the Bureau of Public Procurement and relevant tenders boards. Payments were reportedly backed by certification procedures, documentation, and project reports.
Concerns Raised Over SERAP's Approach
NCAPT questioned why clarifications and previous reviews were allegedly ignored before the issue was taken to the media. Earlier audit exercises and reviews by the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee reportedly found no irregularities in the operations of the USPF during the same period.
SERAP, as an organization that consistently advocates fairness, transparency, and accountability, ought to understand that audit observations are not conclusive proof of corruption, the group said. The coalition argued that audit queries are meant for institutional clarification processes and warned against what it described as a public conviction campaign.
Call for Independent Review
The coalition urged the National Assembly and relevant oversight agencies to independently examine all documents connected to the matter and allow due process to prevail. Nigerians deserve truth, not manufactured alarm, the statement added.
NCAPT also described the USPF as a strategic intervention platform that has supported rural connectivity, ICT access, and telecommunications infrastructure in underserved communities across Nigeria.
