The House of Representatives has begun moves to investigate what it called the secret accounts allegedly being operated by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) with the Unity Bank of Nigeria to collect revenue from vessels.
The House said even though the management of the NPA had denied the allegation by a whistle-blower, it would carry out a comprehensive investigation into the allegations since public money was involved.
It also promised to find out if the NPA or any other government agency has the power to operate an account with a commercial bank without prior approval.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Kolawole Lawal on the controversies generated by a whistle-blower.
The whistle-blower had claimed that while acting in line with the Whistle-blower policy of the Federal government, he duly informed, in confidence, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), about a hidden or secret account operated by the Nigerian Ports Authority in Unity Bank to collect revenue generated from sea vessels.
Lawal said the Whistle-blower alleged that the information he gave to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) led to the exposure of an illegal secret account in Unity Bank, Lagos Branch purportedly operated Nigerian Ports Authority where the sum of $1,034,516,000 (one billion thirty four million, five hundred and fifteen thousand dollars) was kept contrary to financial regulations and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
He added: “The whistle blower also alleged that the information was verified and approved by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and therefore qualified for financial reward as prescribed under the Whistle-blower policy of the Federal Government.”

By Tony Akowe