Ahmad is the immediate past Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media
Human Rights Group, HEDA Writes Anti-graft Agency, ICPC To Probe Buhari's Former Aide, Bashir Ahmad For Receiving Salaries After Resignation
The Human & Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate a former presidential aide, Mr. Bashir Ahmad for receiving salaries after his resignation.
Ahmad is the immediate past Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media.
SaharaReporters had reported that federal payroll records show that Bashir continued illegally withdrawing funds from the Nigerian government's coffers, receiving his full salaries for May, June, and July 2022.
On May 11, after turning in his nomination and expression of interest paperwork for the APC House of Representatives ticket, Ahmad deleted the phrase "personal assistant to the president on new media" from his Twitter bio, signalling his departure from the government.
Ahmad removed his designation — personal assistant to the president on new media — from his Twitter bio after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms for the APC House of Representatives ticket on May 11, signalling his resignation from the regime.
During several campaign rallies in his home state of Kano, Ahmad publicly identified himself as a former presidential aide.
However, according to records from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for federal officials, Ahmad was paid millions of dollars in May, June, and July under his payroll number 372121.
Ahmad's monthly salary was N1,043,176.88, with his take-home pay totalling N876,738.37 after statutory deductions, according to records.
As a result, Ahmad was paid N3,129,530.64 in illegal salaries for the three months he claimed he had resigned and did not work as a federal employee. The illegal payment did not include the various allowances and federal estacodes that Ahmad and other presidential aides received.
Therefore, a statement by HEDA called on the Chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, to diligently investigate the allegation and prosecute Ahmad if found liable.
The statement reads: "In line with its mandate to fight against corrupt practices, promote good governance and justice for Nigerians, the Human & Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Mr. Bashir Ahmad (immediate past Personal Assistant to the President on New Media) for receiving salaries after resignation.
"Recall that on the 15th day of August 2022, it was reported by Peoples Gazette (an online news outlet) that despite the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s aide, Bashir Ahmad, in May 2022, he continued to receive salaries in full from the Federal Government for the months of May, June and July.
"Suraju maintained that records from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for federal officials showed Mr. Ahmad received a total of N3,129,530.64 in salaries for May, June and July with his monthly salary standing at N1,043,176.88 and his take-home coming to N876,738.37 after statutory deductions.
"He affirmed that Ahmad confirmed receiving the salaries and further stated that he had returned the salaries but failed to provide any evidence of the refund.
"HEDA’s boss in the petition called on the Chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, to diligently investigate the allegation and prosecute Mr. Bashir Ahmed if found liable.
“We write as a leading Anti-Corruption Organization in Nigeria and Non-partisan Human Rights and Development league with the mandate to protect and promote universally recognized human rights, public accountability, transparency and environmental justice in Nigeria and Africa, in accordance with International best standards for a thorough investigation and prosecution if found guilty.
"Suraju added that HEDA would not relent in its efforts to fight against corrupt practices, promote sound corporate governance, human rights, public accountability, transparent administration, prudent management of public resources and Justice for all Nigerians in line with its mandate, any time any day.
“As an unapologetic permanent enemy of injustice, maladministration, mismanagement of public resources, abuse of power and other corrupt practices, we are relentless in our pursuit to see that the right things are done at the right time and place for the right results as long as it affects the interest Nigerian citizens."