BY EDMOND ODOK – The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has challenged all stakeholders, particularly media organizations, to always verify and confirm facts before making public statements that could mislead the public or damage the reputation of government institutions.
This is as the OAGF reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and efficient service delivery to the Nigerian public.
The OAGF’s plea is against the backdrop of a recent broadcast by Brekete Family, a programme aired on FM radio station 101.1 Abuja, concerning alleged salary deductions involving employees of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada.
Consequently, the OAGF said it was important to set the record straight on the matter.
In statement issued by Bawa Mokwa, Director, Press and Public Relations, the OAGF explained thus, “a total of eighty-five (85) UATH employees had filed a suit at the FCT Area Court in Bwari, alleging fraudulent salary deductions by Hi-Breed Consults Services, Baxxmort Construction Company, and twenty (20) Microfinance Banks (MFBs).
“Following a court order issued in favour of the affected staff, a meeting was held between the then Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, and the Brekete Family team. At this meeting, an agreement was reached to suspend all further deductions from the salaries of the affected employees starting from February 2025, pending the determination of the substantive case.
“In compliance with this agreement, the OAGF immediately directed all implicated MFBs to halt deductions. However, two MFBs Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) and REGENT- Microfinance Banks inadvertently continued deductions in August 2025.
“Upon discovery of the error, both institutions were promptly directed to refund the deducted amounts. LAPO has completed all refunds, while REGENT- Microfinance Banks is currently in the process of making the necessary repayments.
“In response to the Brekete Family broadcast aired on September 15, 2025 which inaccurately alleged non-compliance by the OAGF Mr. Akowe Job, the representative of the affected UATH staff, has since issued an apology, stating that the radio station had not been fully briefed on the measures already undertaken by the OAGF prior to the broadcast.
“Additionally, it was observed that five (5) staff members were overpaid during the refund process by LAPO. The representative of the affected employees has been advised to liaise with LAPO to ensure that the excess funds are returned appropriately.
“The OAGF remains actively engaged with the representative of the UATH staff, Mr. Akowe Job, who is working closely with the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) Department to resolve all outstanding salary-related issues for August 2025.”
