EFCC probe continues: Betta Edu yet to receive clearance amid ministry fraud investigation
In the wake of ongoing investigations into alleged financial misappropriation within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified that Betta Edu and other individuals implicated in the probe have not been cleared. Dele Oyewale, the agency’s spokesperson, made this statement on Sunday, April 14, 2024, during a press briefing in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu had previously suspended Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and Social Development, along with Halima Shehu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Social Investment Programme Authority (NSIPA), following allegations of financial malfeasance within the ministry. Additionally, the president mandated the EFCC to conduct a thorough investigation into all financial transactions involving Edu’s ministry and its affiliated agencies.
Providing an update on the matter through its monthly e-magazine, EFCC Alert, the chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ola Olukoyede, revealed that over ₦30 billion had been recovered, and investigations were underway involving 50 banks.
Expounding on the developments, Oyewale clarified that the recovered funds were linked to various fraudulent activities, including funds embezzled by former Head of State, Late General Sani Abacha, COVID-19 relief funds, and a World Bank loan designated for the ministry’s initiatives.
“The EFCC has observed the growing speculation and commentary surrounding its ongoing investigations into alleged financial misappropriation within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development,” Oyewale stated.
He continued, “At the inception of our investigations, former and suspended officials of the Humanitarian Ministry were summoned by the Commission, resulting in the recovery of ₦32.7 billion and $445,000 thus far. Our discreet inquiries have unearthed additional instances of financial impropriety, involving COVID-19 relief funds, the World Bank loan, and recovered assets from the Abacha regime, all earmarked for the ministry’s poverty alleviation initiatives.”
Emphasizing that the funds were allocated for poverty alleviation programs, Oyewale stressed that officials of the ministry, including Betta Edu, remained subjects of investigation and had not been cleared by the EFCC.
“The EFCC’s investigation is delving into a complex network of fraudulent practices. We are actively scrutinizing the involvement of banks implicated in the alleged fraud, with managing directors of these institutions providing valuable insights to our inquiry,” Oyewale elaborated.
He concluded, “Furthermore, no individual allegedly implicated in the fraud has been absolved of responsibility. Our investigations are ongoing and progressing steadily. We urge the public to disregard any claims suggesting otherwise.”
