The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies has demanded an explanation from the West African Examination Council (WAEC) regarding a financial discrepancy in its 2023 operations.
Despite generating N34 billion, the examination body reported an expenditure of N40 billion, raising concerns over a N6 billion deficit.
During an investigative hearing held in Abuja on Tuesday, the committee directed WAEC to submit all its bank statements from 2018 to 2023 within one week.
PLATFORM TIMES reporte that the hearing is part of a broader inquiry into the financial management of the council.
The committee, chaired by Hon. Oboku Oforji, expressed concerns about a N5 billion loan WAEC received in 2022 for purchasing customized calculators.
Although the Head of WAEC Nigeria, Josiah Dangut, presented the council’s case book to the committee, it was rejected.
The committee insisted that the examination body provide its bank statements to substantiate its financial activities.
Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante (PDP, Rivers), a member of the committee, criticized WAEC’s lack of cooperation, stating that the council was denying Nigerians the value of the investments made in the examination body.
“WAEC Nigeria was an uncooperative witness in this process, shielding and denying Nigerians of having value for whatever investment the country has had in that office.
“They should submit to this committee all the bank account statements of his office,” Abiante stated.
Chairman Oforji questioned the approval process behind the N5 billion loan, noting that such an amount should not have been approved without ministerial oversight.
He also demanded detailed documentation of the expenditures that led to the N6 billion deficit, including all correspondence related to the purchase of customized calculators.
The committee requested evidence of due process in awarding contracts, proof of payment, including payment vouchers and bank records, and the submission of accounts to the Auditor General for the Federation from 2018 to 2023.
The panel also inquired about the profile of WAEC’s external auditor and the engagement letters for the past three years.
WAEC was also questioned about its adherence to financial, public procurement, and economic regulations, particularly concerning the payment of 50 per cent of a contract worth N532 million for constructing its Taraba State office.
Dangut explained that the payment was made to mitigate the effects of rising inflation in the country.
In his closing remarks, Chairman Oforji emphasized that the committee’s investigation was not intended to witch-hunt but to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities.
“The Constitution binds both the legislative house and WAEC. As such, the committee expects full cooperation from WAEC, including the timely provision of all necessary documents to expedite our inquiry and report,” Oforji said.
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