Top Presidency officials are worried that an investigation of Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, the Accountant-General of the Federation, is being allegedly hindered by a figure close to President Bola Tinubu, SaharaReporters has learnt.
Madein, who made history as Nigeria’s first female Accountant-General, is being investigated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
Sources close to the matter told SaharaReporters that Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, who is close to a powerful presidency topshot, is accused of interfering with the investigation.
Madein had reportedly been at the centre of some financial investigation on handling of pension funds.
In January 2024, she was involved in a payment authorisation of N585 million into a private account, which sparked outrage and allegations of embezzlement.
However, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, justified the payment, stating that it was for grants to vulnerable groups in several states. Edu has since been suspended by the President.
Adedeji was Tinubu’s special adviser on revenue before his appointment as FIRS chairman.
The ICPC’s role is to investigate, prosecute, and prevent corruption, ensuring public bodies’ systems and procedures don’t aid corruption.
As the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein is responsible for managing all accounting functions related to federal receipts and payments. Her role is crucial in maintaining transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s financial systems.
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Sources close to the investigation disclosed that a dramatic scene unfolded at the ICPC office on September 23, 2024. While the Accountant-General of the Federation, Madein, was being questioned by ICPC officials, Zacch Adedeji suddenly arrived at the Commission’s office and demanded to see ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, a senior advocate.
Upon being informed that Aliyu was unavailable, Adedeji reportedly confronted the ICPC officers on duty, questioning their authority to investigate the Accountant-General without President Bola Tinubu’s approval.
This intervention raised eyebrows, especially given Adedeji’s close links to the Presidency, having previously served as special adviser on revenue.
A source quoted by SaharaReporters said that the FIRS chairman was informed that “the President does not authorise the investigation of any suspect and does not interfere in the investigation of suspects, including public officers.”
“Not satisfied, Adedeji demanded to see the Accountant-General who was in the interrogation room. He was accompanied to the room but was not allowed to talk to the Accountant General of the Federation,” the source disclosed.
Although the exact nature of his relationship with Madein, the Accountant-General of the Federation, remains unclear, sources suggest that Adedeji’s actions could be motivated by a desire to hide his connection to the probe.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters learnt that the FIRS Chairman has hired the former ICPC chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, as his Special Adviser.
Another source told SaharaReporters that prior to his appointment as FIRS chairman, Adedeji was investigated by the ICPC under Owasanoye. It is unclear yet how his appointment was influenced by Adedeji and the understanding between them.
Meanwhile, efforts to speak to the Owasanoye failed as he did not answer his calls. As at the time of filing this report, he had yet to reply to a text message sent to him.
In July, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that Adedeji, who was the executive secretary of the National Sugar Development Council, NSDC, employed his wife, Oluwatosin Adedeji, as Chief Accountant while heading the agency. This was revealed by documents seen by SaharaReporters.
Adedeji, who is the current executive chairman of the FIRS was appointed to head the NSDC by former President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2021.
He was there until President Bola Tinubu appointed him as FIRS Chairman in September 2023.
The documents revealed that Oluwatosin was employed as the Chief Financial Officer of the agency on salary grade level 14 (SGL14 Step 1) without the required public service experience and “near empty files”.
Also contrary to the conditions of the council, Adedeji signed the appointment letter of his wife instead of the Director of Human Resources Management.
Reported by SaharaReporters
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