The Federal Capital Territory Judicial Service Committee is facing questions over approximately ₦979.1 million in expenditure flagged in a federal audit, according to reports published on October 14 and 15.
The amount comprises about ₦866.5 million in questioned contracts and ₦112.6 million relating to salary vouchers that auditors said were not produced.
According to TheNigeriaLawyer, the findings concern the committee’s 2023 finances and appear in the Auditor-General’s 2024 report. They are historical audit findings receiving fresh coverage, rather than expenditure incurred this week.
The reported issues include missing procurement records, payments involving companies with inactive registration status, and contracts awarded without adequate evidence of competitive bidding.
Auditors also questioned procurement splitting and the absence of documentation showing where purchased equipment was distributed.
Source, reported that the audit attributed the problems to weaknesses in internal controls.
The findings carry particular significance because the committee performs responsibilities connected with judicial appointments, promotion and discipline in the FCT.
The audit reportedly called for accounting records, recovery of questioned funds where required, and evidence of compliance to be forwarded to the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committees.
These are audit queries requiring answers and supporting documents. They do not, by themselves, establish that any named official committed a criminal offence.
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