EFCC Recovers $445,000, N3bn in Humanitarian Ministry Probe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission revealed that it has seized $445,000 and N3 billion while investigating scandal leveled at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said that N3 billion and $445,000 were seized in March and April, in addition to the N30 billion that was previously recovered prior to March and mentioned by EFCC Chairman Olu Olukoyede.

Oyewale said, “The interview with the commission’s chairman, which was recently released, was done mid-March, and as at that time, the N30bn was what had been recovered as noted by the chairman. However, between that time and now, the commission has been able to recover an extra N2.7bn and $445,000 in connection with the probe.”

The EFCC launched the probe on the directive of President Bola Tinubu following the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Beta Edu.

Also under probe is Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, and the Coordinator of the National Social Insurance Programmes Agency, Halima Shehu.

The spokesman for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, gave the update in a statement on Monday and titled, “Beta Edu and other Matters: For the Purpose of Clarity.”

The statement read, “No officials from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs have been cleared in ongoing investigations into financial misappropriation.

“The EFCC has recovered N32.7bn and $445,000 in the ongoing investigation. Investigations have uncovered fraudulent dealings related to COVID-19 funds, World Bank loans, and Abacha loot.
“Banks involved in the fraud are being investigated, with Managing Directors providing useful statements.”