Not less than 29 ghost workers and N4billion fraud have been uncovered in the office of President Muhammadu Buhari’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagna Monguno.
We gathered that the ghost workers and the billions of Naira fraud was uncovered after a general auditing and verification exercise ordered Buhari.
“Monguno uncovered over N4 billion security fraud within the Presidency. A security audit and verification exercise ordered by the President, uncovered these can of worms in Aso Rock. The verification exercise showed that about 29 ghost security personnel have been on security pay roll in the presidency over the years.” We were reliably informed that the budget for the NSA’s office was N6.5 billion for 2015 under Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan..
We gathered that Monguno sort and got the approval of the President, to embark on the verification exercise, in line with the anti-corruption campaign of Buhari. The N4 billion was alleged to be part of the N6.5 billion dedicated to the security personnel and logistics in the presidency, most of which allegedly went into private pockets.
“The NSA, who considered the N6.5 billion as outrageous, insisted that it be reduced. He subsequently brought the figure down to N2 billion. It was a move commended and approved by the President,” said the source. We gathered that efforts were made to frustrate the exercise in the Presidency.
“A particular security agency delayed their auditing and verification for six months before releasing its personnel for the exercise few days ago. Interestingly, under the N6.5 fraudulent budget regime, junior security personnel in the presidency received N18, 000 per month, while senior personnel were entitled to N35, 000 only, with no form of welfare packages. Currently, under the supervision of the Monguno, with a realistic budget of N2 billion being effectively deployed to the general benefit and welfare of men and women saddled with the responsibility of the safety and security in the Presidency; the junior security personnel who were paid N18,000 under the N6.5billion budget regime, now enjoys a minimum of N80,000, while the senior personnel who received N35,000 then, now collect a minimum of N150, 000, including other benefits,” our source said.
We gathered that another new middle level cadre personnel, with a minimum of N100,000 monthly allowances and attached benefits has also been introduced under the new budget.
“Under this arrangement, N80,000, N85,000 and N90,000 go to junior, middle and senior cadres respectively. This measure is to ensure professionalism is maintained.”
The functions of all security agencies in the presidency are specified by law; their duties and functions may overlap as they are complementary in the common task of securing lives and properties in Aso Rock. But these duties are coordinated and overseen by the
NSA, who presides over meetings with the heads of all the security agencies.”All efforts made to contact Monguno proved abortive as his mobile line was switched off.