The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has called on all stakeholders, particularly media organizations, to verify and confirm facts before making public statements that could mislead the public or damage the reputation of government institutions on financial prudence.
In a statement issued as a reaction to 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, the Office debunked the information reeled out to the public on the alleged salary deductions, saying it is totally false.
Setting the record straight on the matter, the OAGF disclosed that a total of 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 20 Microfinance Banks (MFBs).
It stated that following a court order issued in favour of the affected staff, a meeting was held between the immediate past Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, and the Brekete Family team.
According to the Office, 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.
The OAGF further clarified: “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”, it added.
The OAGF maintained that it had been 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.
This is even as it assured its commitment to transparency, accountability, and efficient service delivery on the nation’s public finance system.
