Group demands release of FCT audit reports
To enhance transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, a civic organisation, Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), has called on the Office of Auditor-General for the Federation (OAuGF) to immediately release audit reports on the accounts of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for the fiscal years 2020 to 2023.
This follows over four months of silence after an official Freedom of Information request was submitted on February 11, 2025, requesting access to the reports, in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011.
The Executive Director of PLSI, Mr. Segun Elemo, during a press briefing in Abuja, said: “We had since February 2025, four months ago, written to the Auditor-General for the Federation whose responsibility it is to audit accounts of the FCT.
“Despite the clear legal provisions of the FOI Act and Nigeria’s commitment to openness and transparency, the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation has not responded to the request or provide access to the requested audit reports.”
Elemo raised concern over the culture of opacity around public finance management, particularly at a time when public trust in government institutions is at an all-time low.
He added: “It is even more concerning given recent developments in which the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, defended spending N39 billion of public funds on the renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, a project that has attracted wide criticism due to its cost and lack of contracting information.”
Elemo said they do not have issues with the current FCT Administration as their request is for the audit reports of 2021-2023, stressing that their aim is to ensure judicious spending of public funds
He criticised the National assembly for abandoning the Federal Audit Service Bill, which is meant to reform account of public revenue.
He said that previous governments refused to sign the bill into law, adding that the current Senate has also failed to give concurrence to it despite passage by the House of Representatives since October 2023.
