Reps threaten arrest warrant against PAP coordinator over N26bn audit query

FILE: House of Representatives.

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The House of Representatives has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dennis Otuaro, to appear before its Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, to respond to audit queries involving over N26bn.

The committee warned that it would have no option but to issue a warrant of arrest against Otuaro if he fails to appear on the scheduled date.

The ultimatum follows Otuaro’s failure to honour six consecutive invitations issued by the Committee.

At Thursday’s public hearing, held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, a member of the Committee, Hon. Dominic Okafor, moved a motion for a warrant of arrest against Otuaro, which was seconded by Aliyu Missau.

According to the Auditor-General’s report under review, the Presidential Amnesty Programme is alleged to have committed several financial breaches.

These include “violation of the Federal Government’s e-payment policy on expenditures totalling N17.6bn; payment of N3.6bn without internal audit checks; and disbursement of N1.5bn for tuition fees without supporting documents.”

Other breaches highlighted were “circumvention of procurement processes; issuance of cash advances exceeding approved thresholds amounting to N1.2bn, among other discrepancies.”

In his ruling, the Chairman of the Committee and member representing Ede North/Ede South/Ejigbo/Egbedore Federal Constituency, Osun State, Bamidele Salam, stated that Otuaro, alongside other PAP principal officers, must appear before the Committee or face legal consequences.

The PAP was established to manage the disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of ex-militants in the Niger Delta. Its mandate includes reintegration, vocational training, scholarships, support for beneficiaries, and other interventions.

In its 2021 audit report on non-compliance and internal control weaknesses, the Office of the Auditor‑General of the Federation flagged PAP for serious financial irregularities.

Among the issues highlighted were over N1.53bn paid as tuition fees “for students under PAP” without supporting documents, including receipts, admission letters, or evidence of enrolment.

The report also noted that N3.62bn was disbursed “without any internal audit check,” in addition to other irregular payments such as cash advances beyond permitted thresholds and procurement or payments without proper documentation or ledger entries.

Consequently, the audit report recommended that PAP’s administration justify the payments, recover and remit mismanaged funds to the treasury, and provide evidence of remittance to the relevant committees of the National Assembly.

Dirisu, has over 12 years experience covering political parties, National Assembly, sports, transportation, etc, and currently works with The PUNCH

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