A foremost civil society and right activists organization in Nigeria, identified as the Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to launch a thorough investigation into allegations of misapplication of public funds at the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.
The group’s call for presidential intervention, comes after it had earlier petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 7 HQ, Abuja, but feels that the matter requires the highest level of attention to address the severity of the allegations.
According to the advocacy group in a statement signed by it’s spokesperson Comrade Charles Eheneden, a total of N135,590,599.00, is alleged to have been misapplied by the CEO and officials of the council, in a brazen display of corruption and abuse of public trust.
The group has expressed concern that this action undermines President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which promises to tackle corruption and ensure transparency and accountability in government institutions.
The statement read; “We have petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, but we believe that the president’s immediate intervention is necessary to address the severity of these allegations.
“The alleged misapplication of funds at the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, is a clear indication of the level of corruption that President Tinubu’s administration is fighting against. We urge him to take immediate action to demonstrate his commitment to transparency and accountability.
“The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria is responsible for regulating and overseeing the freight forwarding industry in Nigeria. The alleged misapplication of funds has raised concerns about the council’s ability to carry out its mandate effectively and has eroded trust in government institutions.” It added.
The statement also revealed that the group’s petition to the AIG, highlights several concerns, including, lack of transparency in the council’s financial dealings, unaccounted and suspicious expenditure of public funds and generally abuse of office by council’s CEO.
The group reiterated it’s call on President Tinubu to immediately intervene by ordering a thorough investigation into the allegations, take appropriate action against those found culpable, implement measures to prevent future occurrences of corruption at the council.
Meanwhile as at the time of filing this report, no official statement has been released by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria in response to the allegations, according to the group.