Nigeria’s financial oversight body has announced the recovery of 30 billion naira ($24 million; £19 million) as part of an ongoing investigation into corruption involving a suspended minister.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), these funds were traced to over 50 bank accounts.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, was suspended in January amid allegations of diverting $640,000 of public funds into a personal bank account. Following this, President Bola Tinubu ordered an inquiry into her ministry.
Dr. Edu, aged 37, denied any wrongdoing at the time. Her office explained that she had sanctioned the transfer into a non-personal account, intended for the distribution of grants to vulnerable groups.
In its nearly six weeks of investigation, the EFCC has uncovered multiple avenues to explore. Ola Olukoyede, the chairman, emphasized the complexity of the probe, noting the examination of over 50 bank accounts. Olukoyede urged patience from Nigerians awaiting outcomes, stressing the importance of thoroughness in the investigative process.
He assured that the recovered funds have been returned to the federal government’s treasury. The suspension of a minister is a rare occurrence in Nigeria.
