The Auditor-General for the Federation has raised concerns over the transfer of ₦33.75 billion to beneficiaries whose identities could not be properly verified, highlighting fresh accountability issues within government financial operations.

The observation was contained in an audit report that examined transactions carried out by government institutions and agencies during the review period.

According to the report, the funds were transferred without sufficient documentation or verifiable records to confirm the identities of the recipients, raising questions about compliance with public financial management procedures.

The Auditor-General noted that the absence of adequate beneficiary information made it difficult to establish whether the payments reached their intended recipients or were utilized for approved purposes.

The report called for a thorough investigation into the transactions and urged the affected agencies to provide detailed explanations and supporting records for the payments.

It also recommended stronger internal control mechanisms, improved record-keeping practices and stricter adherence to financial regulations to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The findings add to growing concerns over transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, with stakeholders repeatedly calling for stronger oversight of government expenditure.

Financial experts say accurate beneficiary verification is essential to safeguarding public resources, preventing fraud and ensuring that government interventions achieve their intended objectives.

The Auditor-General further urged relevant authorities to recover any funds found to have been improperly disbursed and hold responsible officials accountable where violations of financial regulations are established.

The report is expected to attract scrutiny from lawmakers and anti-corruption agencies as efforts continue to strengthen accountability and improve governance in the public sector.