The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has initiated a formal investigation into allegations that Binyerem Ukaire, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, deliberately withheld payment files for several key agencies under her purview. This development comes just two days after a PREMIUM TIMES report detailed the obstruction of funds that had been approved by President Bola Tinubu.
Background of the Controversy
The funds in question were designated to support the operations of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). According to sources familiar with the matter, Mrs. Ukaire refused to process the payments because the heads of these agencies allegedly declined her request to make detailed presentations regarding their ongoing projects and financial utilisation.
Agency heads and industry experts have noted that this demand is inconsistent with established civil service practices. A circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) explicitly directs supervising ministries to refrain from interfering in the finances of their parastatals, which are primarily accountable to their boards and ministers.
ICPC Intervention
In response to the growing concerns, the ICPC has interrogated Mrs. Ukaire and the affected agency heads to determine the rationale behind the obstruction of these funds. Sources confirmed that neither the Permanent Secretary nor the agency heads were detained following the questioning, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Outcome of the Report
The public attention generated by the initial PREMIUM TIMES report has yielded tangible results. Mrs. Ukaire has since approved the payment files and transmitted them for disbursement. When contacted on Saturday, the heads of the affected agencies confirmed that the files have been forwarded and are now awaiting the final release of funds to their respective accounts.
