House Queries Ministers, CBN Governor Over UN Peace Keeping Fund

ABUJA, Oct 26, (THEWILL) - The House of Representatives has summoned the Ministers of Defence, Chief Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN) and Finance, Olusegun Aganga to appear before its Committee on Defence this Thursday to explain how billions of naira appropriated for United Nations (UN) Peace Keeping Operations in Liberia and Dafur were utilised.

The letter inviting the ministers, which was obtained by THEWILL in Abuja was signed by the Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Oluwole Oke.

Also summoned alongside the two ministers are the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Lamido Sanusi; Managing Director of Unity Bank, Alhaji Falalu Bello; Director General, Budget Office and Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo.

Recall that the Defence Committee had earlier initiated investigations into how the funds had been utilised from 2007 till date.

THEWILL also gathered that the Minister of Defence is specifically expected to answer questions on the disbursement of the capital budget of his ministry for the 2010 fiscal year while the Director General of Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) is expected to give an account of his stewardship.

The probe of the Peace Keeping Fund and capital budget of the Ministry of Defence, amongst others followed a resolution passed on the floor of the House last week.