Nigeria has successfully retrieved 30 billion naira ($24 million) as part of its ongoing probe into corruption allegations against a suspended minister, according to the country’s financial watchdog.
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed that the funds were traced to over 50 bank accounts linked to the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.
Dr. Betta Edu was suspended in January, 2024 amid allegations of diverting $640,000 of public funds into a personal bank account. The investigation was initiated by President Bola Tinubu, who ordered a thorough examination of her ministry.
While Dr. Edu denied any wrongdoing, stating that the transferred funds were for implementing grants to vulnerable groups, the EFCC has been delving into multiple facets of the case during its nearly six-week-long investigation.
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In the latest edition of the EFCC Alert, the chairman of the agency, Ola Olukoyede, emphasized the complexity of the probe, revealing the scrutiny of numerous bank accounts involved in the transaction.
“We are investigating over 50 bank accounts that we have traced money into. That is no child’s play. That’s a big deal,” Olukoyede stated, urging patience from Nigerians awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
He assured the public that the recovered funds had been returned to the federal government’s treasury. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of following due process in addressing the allegations.
The suspension of a minister is a rare occurrence in Nigeria, highlighting the significance of this investigation in combating corruption within the government.
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