The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its investigation into the financial scandal plaguing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, questioning several civil servants, including top-ranking officials.
Among those under extended investigation and being invited for interrogations are directors-generals, and other senior officials within the ministry as well as senior officials of other implicated banks regarding alleged money laundering activities; who are all said to be cooperating with the EFCC investigators, and providing valuable information to help unravel the financial malfeasance.
Among those under investigation are the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, and the suspended National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme, Halima Shehu.
Betta Edu is being probed for authorizing the transfer of N585 million into the private account of a ministry accountant, Bridget Oniyelu; while Sadiya Umar-Farouq faces allegations of a missing N37 billion during her tenure as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari; and Halima Shehu is under scrutiny for allegedly moving N144 billion NSIP funds into private and corporate accounts without presidential approval.
On Monday, January 8, President Bola Tinubu had swiftly suspended Betta Edu, and urged her to ensure full cooperation with the EFCC for thorough investigations to be conducted.
Meanwhile, in Edu’s defense, a public affairs analyst and University of Calabar Lecturer, Dr. Don Clem Enamhe, speaking on a television news magazine show, asserted that the N585 million was not diverted but allocated to an accountant within the ministry.
Emphasizing the shift in conventional practices, Enamhe noted that for Edu to have sought approval for the financial transactions from the Accountant-General’s office shows her willingness to adhere to proper procedures, and stressed that even assistant directors now require official approval for fund allocations.
He noted that Edu appointed Bridget Oniyelu, an accountant from the AGF’s office, adding that it is still within allowed order of procedures.
The EFCC notes that as the investigation progresses, the ministry’s financial dealings are under heightened scrutiny, shedding light on alleged irregularities and prompting discussions regarding accountability and adherence to proper procedures within the ministry.
