Manny Ita –
An audit report has reportedly indicted six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory over alleged financial infractions amounting to more than ₦100 billion, raising fresh concerns about fiscal accountability at the grassroots level of administration in the nation’s capital.
According to documents cited by officials familiar with the audit, the infractions span several fiscal years and include alleged contract inflation, diversion of public funds, non-remittance of internally generated revenue, payments for unexecuted projects, and persistent violations of public procurement regulations. The councils named in the report are said to account for the bulk of the questioned expenditures identified during the audit exercise.
A senior government source with knowledge of the findings said the scale of the irregularities was “deeply troubling,” noting that many of the expenditures could not be supported with proper documentation. “In several instances, funds were released for projects that were either abandoned, poorly executed, or could not be physically verified,” the source said.
The audit, conducted as part of a broader financial review of the FCT Administration, reportedly highlighted weaknesses in internal controls, poor record-keeping, and what it described as a “systemic disregard” for established financial management procedures within the affected councils. Auditors also flagged repeated use of emergency procurement without justification and payments made in excess of approved budgetary provisions.
Speaking on the matter, an official of the FCT Administration said the report would not be swept under the carpet. “The minister has made it clear that accountability is non-negotiable. Where the audit establishes prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, appropriate sanctions will follow,” the official said.
Some council officials, however, have pushed back against the allegations, insisting that the figures cited in the report are being misinterpreted. One council chairman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “We are studying the audit observations carefully. Some of the issues raised relate to legacy projects and ongoing reconciliations, not outright theft.”
The report is said to recommend the recovery of misapplied funds, referral of serious cases to anti-corruption agencies, and immediate reforms to financial management systems across the Area Councils. It also calls for stricter oversight by the FCT Administration and the suspension of accounting officers found to have breached financial regulations.
Civil society groups have urged swift action, warning that failure to act decisively would undermine public confidence. “These are funds meant for primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads, and sanitation in the FCT,” said a representative of a budget transparency group. “Accountability must be enforced to deter future abuse.”
Sources said the audit report has been forwarded to relevant oversight bodies, with further investigations expected in the coming weeks. The FCT Administration has indicated that a formal response, including details of disciplinary measures and recovery plans, will be issued after a review of the report’s recommendations.
