The group urged the anti-graft agency to investigate alleged irregularities surrounding the contracts awarded by TETFund.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged graft in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
The group urged the anti-graft agency to investigate alleged irregularities surrounding the contracts awarded by TETFund.
The petition, which was addressed to Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of EFCC, was signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju.
HEDA outlines its concerns over the award of contracts in foreign currency by TETFund, a move deemed illegal under Nigerian law.
Specifically, the petition cites the award of contracts totalLing N3.8 billion to Fides Et Ratio Academy and Pole Global Marketing (PGM) for capacity-building courses and learning management systems.
Suraju said in a statement on Wednesday, "According to reports from an online news platform, the contract with Fides Et Ratio Academy was for capacity development training for students and staff of tertiary institutions, while the contract with Pole Global Marketing (PGM) was for capacity development and blackboard implementation.”
However, the petition alleges that the contracts were not fully executed despite payments being made, with 85% of the contract sum allegedly paid to PGM without evidence of work done.
He said, "Of particular concern to HEDA Resource Centre is the payment of $5 million to an offshore account for the contract with PGM, a transaction that raises suspicions of illegal movement of foreign currency or potential money laundering.
‘Such actions, the petition asserts, are in direct violation of Section 7 of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment Etc.) Act, 2011, which governs the management and administration of the Fund.”
Suraju stressed the need for a thorough investigation into the matter and called for the prosecution of individuals implicated in the alleged wrongdoing. He stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability in the management of public funds.
The anti-corruption group called on the EFCC to conduct a diligent investigation into the “improper award of contracts by TETFund and to take appropriate legal action against those found culpable”.
The organisation said “it awaits swift action from EFCC” in response to the petition.