…Investigators Target Implementing Organisations, Trace Financial Trail After US Shutdown Of Programmes
Daud Olatunji
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation have launched a joint investigation into alleged diversion, mismanagement and financial irregularities involving funds provided for United States government-supported HIV and tuberculosis programmes in Nigeria.
The probe will focus on organisations that received funds under programmes supported by the United States Agency for International Development before some of the initiatives were discontinued by the US government in 2025.
Officials of the FBI and the US Department of State’s Office of Inspector General disclosed the development during a high-level engagement with the EFCC at the Commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 on Thursday.
The US delegation, led by the FBI Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché, Macus Maccain, met with the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, to strengthen cooperation on the investigation.
Maccain said the engagement was aimed at deepening intelligence sharing and operational collaboration in examining how funds were managed after the termination of some USAID-supported programmes.
He said the US government became concerned about funds that remained with some implementing organisations following the shutdown of the programmes.
According to him, some organisations were suspected of mismanaging or allegedly diverting funds released to them before the programmes were discontinued.
“We’re seeking stronger engagement with the EFCC to establish how the funds were managed and identify possible financial misconduct arising from the termination of the programmes,” Maccain said.
The investigation is particularly focused on programmes connected with HIV and tuberculosis interventions, which were implemented through various organisations across Nigeria.
Also speaking, Jeremy Kennon, a Special Agent with the Office of Inspector General, US Department of State, said the United States and Nigerian governments had previously entered into arrangements to support the fight against HIV and tuberculosis.
He explained that the programmes involved funding from the US Department of State and the Nigerian Government to organisations responsible for implementing health interventions.
Kennon said some of the implementing organisations established one-stop centres to provide HIV-related treatment and services.
However, he disclosed that subsequent reviews had raised concerns about inflated budgets and other financial irregularities in Kano State and several other states.
He stressed that the concerns were not restricted to Kano or Nigeria, noting that similar issues had emerged in other parts of the world.
Kennon said the FBI and the EFCC were expected to establish a long-term working relationship on the matter, including reciprocal intelligence and information sharing.
“We’ll like to work with the EFCC on this on a long-term basis, and we’ll be sharing information with you; not just getting information from you,” he said.
Responding, Kaltungo welcomed the US delegation on behalf of the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and described the relationship between Nigeria and the United States as longstanding, particularly in the area of law enforcement cooperation.
He assured the delegation that the EFCC would investigate allegations surrounding the diversion and mismanagement of the funds across the country.
Kaltungo said investigators would trace the movement of the funds to their ultimate beneficiaries to determine whether they were used for the purposes for which they were released.
He said the investigation would also establish whether any portion of the funds was mismanaged or diverted after the cancellation of the programmes.
“We will trace the funds and identify the beneficiaries to establish how the money was spent; whether it was deployed for the purposes for which it was provided and whether any portion was mismanaged or diverted following the cancellation of the programmes,” Kaltungo said.
The acting zonal director further disclosed that the investigation would not be restricted to one state, as the EFCC planned to coordinate inquiries across all states where the affected organisations and programmes operated.
He added that the Commission would work closely with the FBI to follow the financial trail and establish the facts surrounding the allegations.
The joint investigation comes amid heightened scrutiny of the management of foreign-funded development and health intervention programmes following the discontinuation of some USAID-supported initiatives.
For beneficiaries of HIV and tuberculosis interventions, the outcome of the investigation could also provide answers on whether funds released for critical health programmes were fully deployed for their intended purposes.
The EFCC and US investigators are expected to use financial records, intelligence and information from relevant organisations to determine the extent of any alleged financial misconduct and establish responsibility where wrongdoing is proven.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
