NITDA: Our 2017 budget not under investigation by EFCC

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said that its 2017 budget is not under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The agency in a statement by its Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Mrs Hadiza Umar, also described as false rumours that it is attempting to circumvent due process requirements in the implementation of the 2017 approved budget.

The statement was in response to comments credited to the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, that the EFCC has started investigating the Director General of the NITDA, Dr. Isa Pantami based on a petition.

But NITA said; “In the reported petition, the faceless petitioners, Muhammad Yusuf and Rebecca Emeleogwu, purportedly representing Good Governance and Accountability Monitoring Group, alleged that the Management of the Agency has by-passed due process in the award of contracts in the 2017 budget.

“It is essential to note that the Agency is not under any investigation under current administration, either by EFCC or any other investigating agency.”

NITDA said it is on record that its DirectorGeneral is the only Chief Executive in history of the Agency that implemented almost 100 per cent of the Auditor-General for the Federation’s audit recommendations regarding financial and other irregularities in the Agency.