Transparency Coalition Writes Ministry Of Art Over Alleged N4bn Office Rent, DG Gallery Of Arts, 50 Aides

The Coalition for Transparency Equity and Justice, a CSO group agitating for human rights, transparency, equity and justice, has beamed its search light on the activities of the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy under the watch of Hannatu Musa Musawa.

The coalition relying on the Freedom of Information Act wants the ministry to clarify why four billion naira was earmarked for renting of office.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) was passed in 2011 to make public records and information more accessible. The FOI gives people the right to request information from public institutions, companies with government control, and private companies that provide public services.

In a letter signed by the Executive Secretary of the Coalition, Dr. Chima Chibuike to the Ministry, the coalition requires more information on the sum of N3billion which had been allegedly paid to the landlord of the property in instalments.

The coalition seeks information on why the ministry paid a sum of N3billion out of the N4billion as rent without getting approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the glass house office which is located along ICPC Road Abuja, despite being above its threshold.

The said sum was allegedly split in segments to avoid detection and for a year and four months the rent is on.

The minister allegedly relieved experienced top officials of their duties and replaced them with neophyte and inexperienced personel.

She was allegedly instrumental to the appointment of the 32-year-old Director General (DG) of the National Gallery of Arts, Ahmed Sodangi, who’s said to be her step son.

Sodangi is said to be a level 9 staff of Bank of Industry before he was appointed DG.

The coalition asserted that “its instructive that the Bank of Industry where Sodangi last worked before emerging as DG NGA sponsored major Arts exhibition in London and Nigeria but that should not be a yardstick for his appointment.”

The minister also recommended the appointment of about 50 aides, a move seen by the coalition as outrageous and on the high side.

Stakeholders within the ministry advised the minister against paying that whopping sum without the approval of FEC for renting the the glass house office. They are stiff worried and curious to know how the five billion take off grant for the ministry and another five billion take off grant from the the former Ministry of Tourism, under the watch of Lola Ade-John were expended.

Recall that the minister had faced criticism for failing to provide evidence of her participation in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme during her Senate confirmation screening.

However, in April 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the case against her, with Justice James Omotosho ruling that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to bring the matter before the court.On account of this ruling, Musawa declared that ‘the issue has been settled legally.’

Speaking on the matter with a popular television station, Musawa said “her intention is to focus on her responsibilities in office rather than engaging with the controversy.

“The matter had been adjudicated and one day, I will come out with my account. I have probably done more NYSC than you (presenter). I have done at least two NYSCs in my life.

“I think what I owe Nigerians is to say that I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t break the law. The NYSC I did and finished. That is the much I can tell you. Everything I did was by the law.

Those close to Musawa squealed that just like the NYSC saga, where came out unscathed, nothing will come out of these issues because Musawa is close to the power brokers.

The Special Assistant Media and Publicity to the Minister, Dr. Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, while reacting to the allegations said she was not aware of the office rented by the ministry.

She added that “the ministry operates from the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.”We are located at the Federal Secretariat, Head of Service , First Floor. We have not rented any office for N4billion.

On the appointment of of the DG NGA, she said she was not aware of him being the minister’s step son.

Reacting to the allegation of 50 aides employed by the minister, Ikem-Anibeze said “Come to the office. That’s why I gave you the address. Come. No insults here. I haven’t been able to verify a single accusation. The Hon minister operates from the Federal secretariat. All meetings from here. One million aides all operate from the Federal secretariat . I’m expecting you”