The former Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Ahmad Salihijo, and the former Executive Director, Technical Services, Engr. Barka Sajou, have been cleared of corruption allegations following a comprehensive investigation by law enforcement agencies.
The probe, which began in 2023, was triggered by internal and external audit reports that flagged irregular payment practices and suspected misappropriation of funds within the agency. The audits raised concerns over unauthorised withdrawals and weaknesses in financial control systems tied to rural electrification projects nationwide.
Investigations revealed that the primary actors behind the alleged infractions were allegedly the former Director of Finance, the former Director of Human Resources, and several senior accounts officers. According to findings, the officials executed payments without obtaining the necessary approvals or audit clearances, effectively bypassing the authority of the Managing Director and the agency’s Executive Management.
The development led to the indefinite suspension of the former Managing Director and members of the Executive Management in March 2024, amid concerns about significant lapses in government systems, operational processes, and financial controls within the agency.
Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that law enforcement agencies widened the scope of their inquiry to scrutinise procurement and payment procedures, with particular attention to how approvals were processed and funds released through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
It was further gathered that months before his suspension, Salihijo had formally escalated concerns to relevant authorities over irregular disbursement patterns. He reportedly cited unusual payment activities linked to transactions processed through GIFMIS and called for urgent review.
Following the discovery of the anomalies, the REA Executive Management initiated internal accountability measures. Officials within the finance and accounts departments were immediately queried and suspended pending further investigation.
In line with public service rules, the agency’s Senior Staff Committee reportedly recommended the dismissal of the affected officials and forwarded its decision to the supervisory ministry for ratification. This recommendation was pending at the time the indefinite suspension of the Managing Director and Executive Management was announced.
Between August and September 2023, law enforcement agencies invited and interrogated several REA officials, examining payment records, procurement documentation, and internal control mechanisms associated with rural electrification projects across the country.
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Prosecution and Forfeiture Proceedings
Subsequently, several REA officials were arraigned in court over alleged fraud linked to unauthorised payment processing. The prosecution focused on the former Director of Finance, the former Director of Human Resources, and senior accounts officers implicated in the investigation.
Court proceedings led to arrests, arraignments, remand orders, and asset forfeiture actions against the indicted officials. Earlier this year, law enforcement agencies secured interim forfeiture orders from the Federal High Court in Abuja over properties allegedly linked to proceeds of the fraud.
Investigators said the assets were traced to funds diverted through compromised payment processes and routed via personal and proxy accounts controlled by the accused officials.
Exoneration of Former MD, ED
Throughout the prosecution and forfeiture proceedings, neither Salihijo nor Sajou was listed as a defendant or named in any charge filed by law enforcement agencies. Their absence from charge sheets and court processes effectively confirmed their exoneration.
Observers note that the case underscores the importance of strengthening internal financial control frameworks within public institutions, particularly agencies managing large-scale infrastructure funds.
