There is apprehension in the Senate and House of Representatives as the Federal Government has started compiling names of senators and Rep members who took money for constituency projects without executing it, for prosecution.
The Nigerian Senate
Many Nigerian past and current lawmakers might land in serious trouble as the Federal Government has started compiling the list of legislators in both chambers of the National Assembly over constituency projects earmarked for them in the 2014 and 2015 budgets, which were not executed.
The lawmakers, if found guilty will be forced to cough out the millions they might have diverted for personal gains.
Punch reports that the sum of N100bn was earmarked for constituency projects in each of the 2014 and 2015 budgets and the the worth of constituency projects totalled N200bn for the two years.
Making this news public, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), told newsmen on Sunday that the compilation was being done by the police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission.
He further stated that the funds, the names of legislators and the constituency projects that were not executed would be made public after investigation.
He said his office and the law enforcement agencies decided to act after receiving numerous complaints of how payments were made for constituency projects that were never executed.
He said, “The money for constituency projects had been taken, but certain allegations prevailed that some constituency projects were not executed after the money had been paid 100 per cent.
“If money is appropriated in the budget, paid and the projects the funds were meant for were not executed, it is only natural to take steps to find out what happened. If neither the money nor the project can be produced, then you must take steps in accordance with the law.
“There are cases that are specific; we are compiling them. I will not want to pre-empt investigation, we have to allow investigation to be concluded before we go public.”