Group Writes Senate, Calls for Forensic Audit of National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies

By Akinwale Kasali

Staff of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, have lamented the alleged double taxation and illicit deductions from their salaries. This has  prompted a Civil Society Organization Group, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), to formally write to the Senate to wade into the issue.

HEDA submitted a formal request to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, and urged the Senate to commission a forensic audit of the NILDS with immediate effect.

In a letter signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, addressed to the Senate President, the civil society group highlighted the concerns raised by some staff members of NILDS regarding double taxation and deductions from their salaries.

It was alleged that the Director-General of NILDS imposed these deductions to offset the Institutes supposed indebtedness to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, for personnel income tax.

“The impact of these double deductions on the financial well-being of the affected staff has been severe, leading to difficulties in meeting their family’s financial needs”, the letter said.

Furthermore, “the letter brings attention to the Director-General’s questionable expenditures, including the purchase of new vehicles, which drew scrutiny from the Auditor-General of the Federation.

In the statement, Suraju said that “as the Chairman of the Governing Council of NILDS, the Senate President is uniquely positioned to address these issues and has the authority to commission a forensic audit of the institute.

“HEDA respectfully requests the constitution of an independent Panel of External Auditors and Lawyers known for their incorruptible reputation to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of NILDS”.

The letter reads further, “HEDA  has received numerous complaints from concerned staff members through its whistleblower toll-free lines. These whistleblowers have expressed their willingness to provide both oral and documentary evidence but emphasize the need for the establishment of an independent and external forensic panel.”

The documentary evidence that the concerned staff intends to submit is expected to shed light on various issues, including the query against NILDS as outlined in the 2019-2022 Reports of the Auditor-General of the Federation. Additionally, the evidence is expected to reveal non-compliance with labour laws, financial regulations, and public service rules, as well as instances of gross mismanagement and diversion of funds within the institute.

HEDA’s request for a forensic audit also extends to the Director-General’s alleged non-compliance with standards set by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the Masters programs of the University of Benin/NILDS, resulting in a high failure rate among students.

The call for a forensic audit is grounded in the organization’s dedication to upholding principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance. HEDA awaits a prompt response from the Senate President to address these serious allegations and ensure a thorough investigation into the affairs of NILDS.