These, are certainly not the best of times for the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa.
The Coalition for Transparency, Equity, and Justice, a Civil Society Organization (CSO) committed to promoting transparency and accountability, has demanded that Musawa provide clarification regarding the N4 billion fraud allegation related to office rent by her ministry.
The call for an explanation comes amid growing concerns over the alleged mismanagement of public funds within the ministry, with the CSO urging a thorough investigation into the matter.
The group has raised concerns about N3 billion of this amount, allegedly paid in instalments to the landlord, without prior approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The rent has reportedly been ongoing for over a year, with the office located along ICPC Road in Abuja.
The group in a letter signed by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Chima Chibuike questioned the minister’s decision to appoint 50 new aides, calling the move “excessive.”
The group requested further transparency in light of these allegations and the purported dismissal of experienced officials within the ministry.
In addition to the office rent issue, the coalition has expressed concern over the appointment of Ahmed Sodangi as Director-General of the National Gallery of Arts. The group suggests that his previous involvement in arts exhibitions sponsored by the Bank of Industry should not be used as justification for his role.
The group said; “It is instructive that the Bank of Industry, where Sodangi last worked before emerging as DG of NGA, sponsored major arts exhibitions in London and Nigeria, but that should not be a yardstick for his appointment.”
Be that as it may, the Ministry of Art has denied the allegations. The Special Assistant for Media and Publicity, Dr. Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, said; “The ministry operates from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja.”
She denied the ministry’s involvement in renting a N4 billion office space. She also dismissed the claims of family ties between Minister Musawa and Sodangi as well as the hiring of 50 aides.