The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the recovery of fresh sums totaling $445,000 and N3 billion in its ongoing investigation into the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs scandal.
According to EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, these funds were recovered between March and April. This recovery is in addition to the N30 billion previously retrieved before March, as highlighted by the EFCC Chairman, Olu Olukoyede, in an earlier interview.
Oyewale clarified, “The chairman’s interview released in mid-March mentioned the N30 billion recovered up to that point. However, since then, we’ve recovered an additional N2.7 billion and $445,000 linked to the investigation.”
President Bola Tinubu had directed the EFCC to initiate the probe following the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Beta Edu. The former minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, and Halima Shehu, the Coordinator of the National Social Insurance Programmes Agency, are also under investigation.
In a statement titled “Beta Edu and Other Matters: For the Purpose of Clarity,” Oyewale emphasized, “No officials from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs have been cleared in the ongoing financial misappropriation investigations. The EFCC has so far recovered N32.7 billion and $445,000. The probe has uncovered fraudulent activities related to COVID-19 funds, World Bank loans, and Abacha loot. The banks implicated are also under investigation, with Managing Directors providing valuable information.”
The EFCC further announced its renewed efforts against naira abuse, following the recent conviction of controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky. Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The statement continued, “We appreciate public support in reporting instances of naira abuse and the dollarisation of the economy. The EFCC remains dedicated to prosecuting those involved in naira abuse, especially since the new task force became operational on February 7, 2024. Several celebrities are under investigation for naira abuse, with some already providing statements and others likely to be summoned for questioning. The EFCC maintains its commitment to upholding the law against this crime.”
