Minister of Women Affairs Accused of Misappropriating N2 Billion Empowerment Fund
ABUJA/Nigeria: The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Ken Ohanenye, is facing serious allegations over the misappropriation of N2 billion earmarked for the empowerment of women across Nigeria.
The accusations come from a group of concerned civil society organizations (CSOs), which have taken legal action, dragging Ohanenye and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to an Enugu High Court.
The plaintiffs, Ambassador Onyinye Joy Mamah, representing the Heroine Women Foundation, and Amaka-Ajuzie Ogbu of the Net Bridge Empowerment Foundation, are demanding that the minister account for the N2 billion, as well as $100 million in intervention funds granted to the ministry by the World Bank to support distressed Nigerian women.
The petitioners expressed deep disappointment, accusing Ohanenye of siphoning funds intended to empower vulnerable Nigerian women.
They allege that the minister’s actions raise serious questions about the management and transparency of public funds meant for women and children.
In their court filing, the plaintiffs described the administration of the funds under Ohanenye’s leadership as both flawed and exploitative, citing examples of questionable projects. They called for a full, transparent accounting of how the N2 billion was spent and requested that anti-graft agencies investigate the alleged misuse of public funds.
“Over the years, the minister has diverted an estimated N2 billion from various critical projects within her ministry under the guise of empowerment into questionable initiatives,” the petitioners claimed. They also alleged that Ohanenye had appointed contractors for these projects, further raising concerns about accountability.
Among the projects highlighted was the purchase of only seven tricycles (popularly known as “keke”) for women, for which the minister now demands daily payments.
The petitioners also criticized the purchase of ironing and cutting machines at exorbitant prices, with each iron reportedly costing N680,000 and each pair of scissors priced at N160,000.
Another major concern raised was the absence of identifiable beneficiaries for these initiatives, leading to suspicions that the funds may have been misappropriated. The CSOs questioned whether these individuals even exist or if the empowerment programs were mere fronts for siphoning money.
The petitioners also referenced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) allegedly signed by Ohanenye with organizers of a recent event, which she disrupted, claiming ignorance of the agreement. The organizers accused the minister of extortion, stating that she changed the revenue-sharing formula just days before the event, threatening them with disruption unless they complied with her new demands.
“We demand that the Minister of Women Affairs provide a full and transparent account of how the N2 billion was utilized,” the petitioners said.
“It’s imperative that the funds allocated for the empowerment of women are used for their intended purpose and not as a tool for personal enrichment.”
The petitioners further called on relevant authorities to launch a thorough investigation into the minister’s activities, insisting that she be held accountable for any misuse of public funds.
“The time has come to put an end to the exploitation of women and children under the guise of empowerment,” they declared.
In their affidavit filed at the Enugu High Court, Mamah and Ogbu recounted that a previous loan facility of N100 billion, provided by the World Bank under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was similarly mismanaged. They claimed that none of the funds reached the impoverished women it was intended for, with the money allegedly squandered on consultancies and seminars instead.
The case, now before the court, shines a spotlight on the administration of public funds intended for the betterment of Nigerian women, raising critical questions about transparency, accountability, and governance in the Ministry of Women Affairs.
