An audit report has shown that the Kebbi State Ministry of Commerce Permanent Secretary, Ahmed Umar Yarima and four other public officials allegedly failed to refund a loan of N2,190,000,000 taken from the state treasury in 2023.
This was disclosed in the 2023 State Auditor General Report, which SaharaReporters reviewed on Friday. The report stated that N2.1billion of public funds were given to Yarima and four others as “Special Imprest.”
The report added that the money was due for repayment on or before December 31st, 2023. Still, the public officials allegedly decided not to refund without any explanation submitted to the office of the State Auditor General.
The four other public officials involved are Kudirat Shu’aibu Diri, the state Ministry of Environment permanent secretary; Bello Yahaya Geza, Aminu Musa, and Yakubu Muhammed Yauri.
SaharaReporters learnt that Bello Yahaya Geza was among the new 21 permanent secretaries announced by the state governor in July 2024.
The report said Ahmed Umar Yarima collected N980million, while Bello Yahaya Geza and Kudirat Shu’aibu Diri received N85million each.
Aminu Musa was granted N60million, and Yakubu Muhammed Yauri received N980 million.
“Examination of financial record for the period under review, revealed that the sum of N980,000,000.00 was not refunded as Special imprest granted to Ahmed Umar Yarima, contrary to the provision of financial regulation No. 1101-1108 which stated that all standing imprest must be retired on or before 31st December of the financial year. The accounting officer has been informed and his response is being awaited,” the report said.
It continued: “Examination of financial record for the period under review, revealed that the sum of N85,000,000.00 was not refunded as Special imprest granted to Bello Yahaya Geza, contrary to the provision of financial regulation No. 1101-1108 which stated that all standing imprest must be retired on or before 31st December of the financial year. The accounting officer has been informed and his response is being awaited.
“Examination of financial record for the period under review, revealed that the sum of N85,000,000.00 was not refunded as Special imprest granted to Kudirat Shu’aibu Diri, contrary to the provision of financial regulation No. 1101-1108 which stated that all standing imprest must be retired on or before 31st December of the financial year. The accounting officer has been informed and his response is being awaited.
“Examination of financial record for the period under review, revealed that the sum of N60,000,000.00 was not refunded as Special imprest granted to Aminu Musa, contrary to the provision of financial regulation No. 1101-1108 which stated that all standing imprest must be retired on or before 31st December of the financial year. The accounting officer has been informed and his response is being awaited.
“Examination of financial record for the period under review, revealed that the sum of N980,000,000.00 was not refunded as Special imprest granted to Yakubu Muhammed Yauri, contrary to the provision of financial regulation No. 1101-1108 which stated that all standing imprest must be retired on or before 31st December of the financial year. The accounting officer has been informed and his response is being awaited.”