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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR) has strongly denied allegations of financial misconduct amounting to N391 million, describing a recent report by an online news platform (not The Sun) as “misleading, unsubstantiated, and riddled with distortions”.
The institute’s acting Spokesman, Malvis O. Ogenyi, defended the Director-General/CEO, Dr Joachim Joseph Ajakaiye, and the leadership, insisting that all financial and administrative activities were conducted in strict compliance with government regulations.
She also refuted claims of manipulation of the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), calling such assertions inaccurate.
To her, the system is “governed by strict institutional controls involving multiple government agencies”, making unilateral interference impossible.
“The allegations of financial misappropriation, including the purported N391 million fraudulent expenditure, are misrepresented and taken out of context.
“NITR’s finances are subject to oversight by authorities such as the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Auditor-General,” she said.
The institute also dismissed claims linking its chief executive to any criminal wrongdoing, noting that “no court of competent jurisdiction has ever convicted Dr Joachim Joseph Ajakaiye of any financial wrongdoing”.
She clarified that the referenced police case “has nothing to do with financial allegations” and was instead “an administrative gap” that was ultimately struck out by the court for lack of merit.
Addressing allegations of leadership irregularities, NITR described them as administrative challenges during a period of institutional restructuring.
“At no point did the current leadership act with the intention to subvert lawful authority,” the statement read in part.
Further allegations, including phantom travels, inflated fuel claims, and “kick-and-share” arrangements, were described as speculative and based on anonymous sources.
“Financial expenditures of the Institute are subject to routine internal and external audits,” the statement noted.
NITR also rejected claims of staff victimisation and union compromise, maintaining that postings and payments follow established civil service rules.
“Allegations of identity theft and procurement irregularities were similarly dismissed as ‘baseless and defamatory’,” she maintained.
