The alleged misappropriation of N63 million funds meant for media outreach in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is already causing a major crisis in the administration.
To this end, a group, Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN) has expressed worry that this action, if not checked, would not only jeopardize the image of the incumbent FCT administration but also undermine the trust the media placed on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Its Executive Secretary, Ajayi Alfa, in a statement issued Monday accused the Director of Press, Anthony Ogunleye of misappropriating over N63 million media funds, thus creating bad blood between the FCT Administration and the journalists covering the beat.
Alfa noted that plans have already been perfected to redeploy some correspondents considered as a threat from the FCT beat, saying that such a move might be counter productive.
He warned that misappropriation of media funds by the media handlers could pose a significant threat to both the integrity of the FCTA and the public, adding that it could also lead to biased reporting, and undermine journalistic standards.
The group said: “I am writing to formally bring to the attention of the FCT minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, concerns regarding potential financial irregularities involving Mr. Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press in the office of the Minister.
“Recent reports and observations by the press corps have raised serious questions about financial transactions and expenditures that may not align with the civil service rules and ethical standards.
“The allegations include: Transportation allowance for Press Corps that are disbursed in opaque manner. In other words, out of N63 million released, nobody knows the number of media houses that benefit from transportation allowance except him;
“Feature articles that promote the image of the Administration are not paid for; Social media and online activities of the Administration is in comatose, persistent demand for 20 per cent of any proceeds, and fueling of vehicles that are almost non-functional among other unauthorized expenses.”
The transparency group noted that these issues not only jeopardize the image of the FCT Administration but also undermine the trust placed on the minister.
The group, therefore, called on Wike to probe the matter to ensure transparency and accountability.
It added, “Additionally, misappropriation of media funds can hinder essential services, limit investigative journalism, and ultimately harm the Administration the media serves.
“Transparency, accountability, and robust oversight mechanisms are crucial in mitigating these risks”.