Nigeria: Group wants probe into about $1.5m Chibok school fund

Nigeria Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged diversion of the N500m (About $1.5m) Safe Chibok School fund.

The fund was budgeted for the rebuilding of the Government Girls School in Chibok, Borno State.

SERAP senior staff attorney, Timothy Adewale on Wednesday asked the EFCC to question those involved in the diversion.

The fund was inaugurated by a former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, following the abduction of over 200 female students by Boko Haram insurgents from the school in 2014.

SERAP believes that the diversion of the funds will expose the school to attacks in the future.

“This is a fundamental breach of the country’s obligations including guarantees of non-repetition, which contribute to prevention and deterrence of future attacks,” it said.

“SERAP is seriously concerned that the school has remained in a state of disrepair since the abduction of the girls, and students have remained at home.

SERAP said it is seriously concerned that the school has remained in a state of disrepair since the abduction of the girls, adding that students have remained at home.

The group said it is concerned that the alleged diversion of N500m meant for reconstruction of Government Girls School in Chibok has directly violated the right to education of the girls, as guaranteed under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.

SERAP asks EFCC to probe N500m Chibok school fund https://t.co/G2pRbKER52 pic.twitter.com/w0xrf7iAAC

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It added that the diversion had undermined the obligation of the government to take steps to the maximum of its available resources to achieve the right to education.