N12.6bn Fraud: NIS Boss Refutes Allegations

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Muhammadu Babandede has refuted allegations concerning the N12.6 billion‎ fraud levied against the NIS and the Prison Service, saying that the allegations have been adequately and satisfactorily responded to in the submissions of responses to the observations made by the Auditor General of the Federation.

In a swift reaction from the Service through its Public Relations Officer, Sunday James, the CG said audit reports by the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation were normal administrative exercises conducted on Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government (MDAs) at given periods of time on their activities, while emphasising that the audit report covered the period of his predecessor in 2015.

‎He said “It has become imperative to state clearly that audit reports by the office of the Auditor General of the Federation are normal administrative exercises conducted on Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government (MDAs) at given periods of time on their activities. Even though the Audit Report covered the period of my predecessor in 2015, it is my duty as the current Comptroller General to address all issues relating to the Service.

“That all issues raised by the Auditor General’s report concerning the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have been adequately and satisfactorily responded to in the submissions of responses to the observations by the Auditor General of the Federation on the accounts of NIS and there is no adverse report or any case of misappropriated fund against the NIS as alleged.

“The Comptroller General therefore wishes to use this opportunity to re-assure the general public of his commitment to prudent management of all resources available to the NIS in line with government’s policy on transparency”, he added.

Some media publications had reported‎ the alleged massive fraud by the NIS and Nigeria Prison Service a sister agency, both under the ministry of interior.