TRENDING: How FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji Intervened In ICPC’s Probe Of Nigerian Accountant-General, Claimed President Tinubu Didn’t Approve Investigation – Sources

TRENDING: How FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji Intervened In ICPC’s Probe Of Nigerian Accountant-General, Claimed President Tinubu Didn’t Approve Investigation – Sources Written By Oshiobugie John– Nigeria is once again in the grip of an unfolding corruption scandal, this time involving Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, the country’s first female Accountant-General. According to Sahara Reporters, Madein, appointed in May 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, is under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for her involvement in the mismanagement of public funds. However, the investigation is reportedly being hindered by none other than Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and a close ally of President Bola Tinubu.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Sources familiar with the matter told Sahara Reporters that Adedeji made an unexpected appearance at the ICPC office on September 23, 2024, while Madein was being questioned. Upon arriving, Adedeji demanded to see ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN). When informed that the chairman was unavailable, Adedeji allegedly challenged the ICPC officers, questioning their authority to investigate the Accountant-General without President Tinubu’s explicit approval. This intervention has raised eyebrows, especially given Adedeji’s longstanding relationship with Tinubu, for whom he served as a Special Adviser on Revenue before his appointment to the FIRS.

The incident has led to speculations about the reasons behind Adedeji’s actions. According to sources who spoke to Sahara Reporters, Adedeji’s ties to the President and his direct interference suggest that there may be more at stake than a routine investigation. “He acted like he had the authority of the President, but one of the ICPC officials made it clear that the President doesn’t need to authorize investigations,” a source said. Despite this, Adedeji insisted on seeing Madein, though the officers did not allow him to interact with her during the interrogation. The source added that Adedeji’s persistence raised further questions about his intentions.

Adedeji’s involvement is not the only controversial aspect of this unfolding saga. Sahara Reporters previously revealed that Madein was involved in a suspicious payment of N585 million in January 2024, which was allegedly transferred to a private account under the guise of providing grants to vulnerable groups across several states. At the time, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, justified the payment, but she was later suspended by President Tinubu over other corruption-related issues.

The recent events have shone a spotlight on the broader corruption allegations within Tinubu’s administration, with Adedeji’s role in shielding Madein now in question. Adedeji, whose close ties to Tinubu helped him ascend to the FIRS chairmanship, was also investigated by the ICPC during his tenure at the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC). According to Sahara Reporters, Adedeji is believed to have hired former ICPC chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, as his Special Adviser—raising further concerns. Owasanoye previously led the ICPC during the time Adedeji was under investigation. “We heard he destroyed the files concerning Adedeji’s investigation before leaving office, and now he’s working for the man he once investigated,” said a source.

The controversy has only deepened with Adedeji’s apparent effort to disrupt the ICPC’s investigation into Madein. When contacted for a response, Dare Adekanmbi, the FIRS chairman’s media adviser, denied all allegations. “The Office of the Accountant-General is distinct from that of the FIRS Chairman, so why would Zacch Adedeji intervene in an ICPC investigation that has nothing to do with him? The claims are baseless,” Adekanmbi stated. He also refuted reports that Owasanoye had been hired as an aide to the FIRS chairman, claiming, “I’m not sure that’s true. We’ve had several meetings with the chairman’s aides, and I have never seen Owasanoye present.”

Meanwhile, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare told Sahara Reporters that he was unaware of the incident, offering no further comment on the matter. Owasanoye, on the other hand, has remained unreachable, refusing to answer calls or respond to messages regarding his alleged appointment as Adedeji’s Special Adviser.

As Nigeria grapples with these revelations, questions are mounting over the integrity of the institutions tasked with fighting corruption. Adedeji, who was previously embroiled in controversy over nepotism at the NSDC, where he appointed his wife Oluwatosin Adedeji as Chief Accountant without the requisite public service experience, continues to face scrutiny. According to documents obtained by Sahara Reporters, her appointment bypassed public service rules, and her employment was approved directly by Adedeji himself, further fueling concerns about his commitment to transparency and accountability.

The investigation into Madein’s role in Nigeria’s financial mismanagement is expected to reveal the extent of corruption within the country’s public service. If Adedeji’s interference in this investigation is proven, it will not only undermine the credibility of the ICPC but also cast a long shadow over Tinubu’s administration, which is already struggling with accusations of corrupt practices.

Despite the denials from Adedeji’s camp, the weight of evidence pointing to interference remains significant. According to Sahara Reporters, the ICPC is facing mounting pressure to ensure that the investigation proceeds without any political interference. The next steps in this investigation will be crucial for Nigeria’s fight against corruption, especially as President Tinubu’s government continues to tout its commitment to transparency while facing internal challenges to uphold this very promise.

With more revelations likely to emerge, the integrity of Nigeria’s public institutions remains on the line, as does the legacy of the nation’s first female Accountant-General. Nigerians are watching closely to see how these investigations unfold, and whether or not the ICPC can uphold its mandate in the face of political pressure.