The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered more fraudulent activities involving COVID-19 funds, World Bank loans, and recovered Abacha loot at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, stated in a Sunday press release that the federal government had allocated these funds to the ministry for poverty alleviation programs.
The anti-corruption agency’s investigation into the ministry’s activities has resulted in the recovery of N32.7 billion and $445,000.
The EFCC also mentioned that certain ministry officials have been suspended due to their involvement in the fraudulent activities and will face prosecution.
“At the outset of investigations, past and suspended officials of the Humanitarian Ministry were invited by the Commission and investigations into the alleged fraud involving them have yielded the recovery of N32.7billion and $445,000 so far,” the statement reads.
“Discreet investigations by the EFCC have opened other fraudulent dealings involving Covid-19 funds, the World Bank loan, Abacha recovered loot released to the Ministry by the Federal Government to execute its poverty alleviation mandate. Investigations have also linked several interdicted and suspended officials of the Ministry to the alleged financial malfeasance
“It is instructive to stress that the Commission’s investigations are not about individuals. The EFCC is investigating a system and intricate web of fraudulent practices. Banks involved in the alleged fraud are being investigated. Managing Directors of the indicted banks have made useful statements to investigators digging into the infractions.
“Those found wanting will be prosecuted accordingly. Additionally, the EFCC has not cleared anyone allegedly involved in the fraud. Investigations are ongoing and advancing steadily. The public is enjoined to ignore any claim to the contrary.”
Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, stated on Wednesday that she has no connection to the alleged recovery of N30 billion by the EFCC.
President Bola Tinubu suspended Edu on January 8 and instructed the EFCC to thoroughly investigate all financial transactions related to her ministry.
