NGF accuses Malami of bias in handling alleged $418 Paris Club refund debt

Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has accused the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami of bias in his handling of the disputed $418million allegedly owed private contractors and firms by the 36 States and Local Governments in relation to the Paris Club refund.

The NGF wondered why the AGF, as a public officer, was eager to ensure that public funds are transferred to private individuals and entities even when the alleged debt was being disputed and currently subject of pending litigations.

In a statement on Monday by its Head, Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the NGF faulted Malami’s claim that it was lawful for the Federal Government to deduct the $418m from the accounts of the 36 states to settle the alleged debt.

The NGF, while faulting some payments already made to some individuals and entities, argued that the AGF, being a public officer ought to be driven by the need to protect public interest and ensure that public funds are not unjustly transferred to private individuals and interests with doubtful claims.

The Governors’ Forum said its reaction was to a statement last Friday on behalf of the AGF by his media aide, Umag Gwandu, in which he attempted to justify FG’s planned deduction of $418m from states’ accounts to settle private contractors and/or consultants for alleged work done in relation to the Paris Club Refunds to the States and Local Governments.