Women Affairs Minister, House of Reps clash over alleged misappropriation of funds

By Innocent Raphael

Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye and the Chiarman House of Representatives Committee on Women Affair and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara have clashed over alleged misappropriation of funds in the Ministry.

The controversy emerged from a program on Arise TV where Ogbara alleged that Ohanenye had been petitioned and invited by the committee over alleged misappropriation of funds within the ministry.

Meanwhile, Ohanenye in a statement issued on Tuesday described the claims as “false and misleading”.

The statement declared, “Our attention has been drawn to a circulating report of a program hosted by Arise TV where Hon. Kafilat Ogbara was making an allegation that the Minister of Women Affairs Barr. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye has been petitioned and invited by the committee over an alleged misappropriation of funds in the ministry.”

The office categorically refuted these claims, asserting that they are “not only false but misleading and an attempt to discredit the unrelenting Honorable Minister of Women Affairs.”

The statement highlighted the Minister’s accomplishments over her 10-month tenure, including initiatives on empowerment, girls’ education, and combating sexual and gender-based violence.

Emphasizing that there has been no communication from the committee regarding any petition or request for an explanation concerning the alleged misconduct, the minister restated her commitment to transparency and accountability in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

“Contrary to the false report, we make bold to say that the Honorable Minister of Women Affairs is a woman of integrity, patriotism, and moral excellence who operates an open-door policy,” it read.

The Minister called on Ogbara and her committee to focus on their oversight responsibilities without being distracted by unfounded allegations.

“On this note, the office of the Hon. Minister calls upon Hon. Kafilat Ogbara-led committee not to be distracted by naysayers and join the Minister of Women Affairs in delivering on the dividends of democracy in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement concluded.