- The former Managing Director and ex-Executive Director [Technical Services] of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Ahmad Salihijo and Engr. Barka Sajou, respectively, have been cleared of corruption allegations after a thorough investigation by law enforcement agencies.
- The probe was initiated in 2023 following internal and external audits that flagged irregular payment practices and misappropriation of funds within the agency.
- The investigation showed that the primary culprits behind the unauthorised withdrawals from government coffers were the former Director of Finance, the former Director of Human Resources, and some senior accounts staff members.
- These individuals, according to reports, executed payments without the necessary approvals or audit clearances, effectively bypassing the authority of the Managing Director and Executive Management.
- This development had in March 2024 ed to the indefinite suspension of the former Managing Director alongside the Executive Management. The suspension was due to concerns about significant weaknesses in some government systems/operations and financial controls.
- THE CONCLAVE learnt that kaw enforcement agencies tasked with investigating REA expanded their inquiry into procurement and payment processes, focusing on how approvals were processed and how funds were released through government financial platforms.
- It was, however, learnt that months before the indefinite suspension, the former Managing Director, Ahmad Salihijo, had escalated concerns about irregular disbursement patterns to relevant authorities, citing unusual activity linked to payments processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
- THE CONCLAVE further gathered that following the discovery, the REA Executive Management also initiated internal accountability processes and officials concerned within the finance and accounts department were queried and suspended immediately.
- According to public service rules, there was a recommendation by the Senior Staff Committee (SSC) for their dismissal which was submitted to the supervisory Ministry for ratification at the time when the indefinite suspension of the former Managing Director and Executive Management was announced.
- Reports said that between August and September 2023 law enforcement agencies invited and interrogated REA officials to scrutinise payment records, procurement documentations and internal control processes connected to rural electrification projects nationwide.
- ● Prosecution and Forfeiture Proceedings
- Several REA officials have been arraigned for alleged fraud linked to unauthorised payment processing.
- The prosecution centered on the former Director of Finance, the former Director of Human Resources, and senior accounts officers.
- The courts ordered arrests, arraignments, remand, and asset forfeiture proceedings against indicted officials.
- This year, the law enforcement agencies obtained interim forfeiture orders over properties linked to proceeds of the alleged fraud, following applications granted by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
- Findings showed that the properties or assets were traced to funds diverted through compromised payment processes and routed via personal and proxy accounts controlled by indicted officials.
- ● Exoneration of MD and ED
- Throughout the prosecution and forfeiture proceedings, the former Managing Director, Ahmad Salihijo, and the Executive Management team were neither listed as defendants nor named on any charge sheets issued by the law enforcement agencies.
- This confirms that they had been exonerated of any wrongdoing.
- The REA case highlights the importance of robust internal financial control frameworks and the need for comprehensive reforms in governance and financial oversight.
- The exoneration of the MD and ED serves as a vindication of their efforts to promote transparency and accountability within the agency.
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