Nigerians indicted in donor funds audit will be prosecuted — Minister

The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, on Thursday said those indicted in the audit of funds and materials donated to tackle the country’s health crisis would be facing prosecution soon.

Mr. Adewole said a number of people had been quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after audit of donor funds from 2010 to 2015 uncovered widespread corruption.

Mr. Adewole’s disclosure came when he joined President Buhari in the State House to receive Seth Berkely, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi and The Global Fund.

Earlier, the president had welcomed Mr. Berkley and expressed appreciation for his organisation’s efforts in Nigeria.

“We thank you for deciding to re-engage with us, despite our inefficiencies. You decided to be here, not minding our shortcomings. There are other countries that would bring less problems. We appreciate your commitment, and we will do our best to put ourselves in the best shape to help us,” Mr. Buhari said.

Mr. Buhari said Nigeria understood its lapses and efforts were underway to address them.

“We are making genuine efforts to correct the lapses. We are very serious about people behaving themselves, and being accountable,” the president said.

Mr. Berkley, who noted that the three focal points of the Buhari administration; security, economic development, and anti-corruption were critical to the future of Nigeria, raised issues over the way donor funds for health care were utilized in the past.

Mr. Berkley said Gavi and The Global Fund were disappointed when forensic audit revealed systemic weaknesses and corruption in the utilization of funds given in the past.

He said there is now a “breath of fresh air” under Mr. Buhari’s leadership and fight against corruption and they were willing to “close the books of the past, and look into future support.”