In the ongoing investigation into the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned 20 senior directors and officials from the ministry.
Following a detailed investigation report and recommendations presented by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday, the EFCC has widened its probe to uncover various financial improprieties within the ministry since its creation in 2019.
Sources indicate that the fraud within the ministry is extensive, spanning several projects and programs executed over the past years, involving officials from both the immediate past administration and the current administration.
The collaboration between the EFCC and the ICPC aims to expose financial misconduct and other irregularities committed by civil servants during the Buhari administration period.
The ICPC had previously intercepted and recovered N50 billion from the ministry between July and August 2023.
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The money, about to be embezzled, was recovered and deposited into the Central Bank of Nigeria. Attempts by some officials to transfer the funds into private bank accounts were intercepted by the ICPC.
To enhance the ongoing probe of the humanitarian affairs ministry, the ICPC chairman, Musa Aliyu, presented its investigation report to the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at a meeting held at the EFCC headquarters.
The collaboration between the two anti-graft agencies is aimed at deepening cooperation and synergizing efforts to achieve greater impact in Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive.
The ICPC report details the various roles played by several officials in the attempt to divert N50 billion belonging to the National Social Investment Programme Agency and other infractions.
The report is expected to assist the EFCC in its investigation of the suspended humanitarian affairs minister, Betta Edu, former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, and Ms. Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme.
The investigation covers a range of allegations, including the authorization of the transfer of N585 million into a private account, alleged money laundering amounting to N37 billion, and the movement of N44 billion NSIP funds into private and corporate accounts without presidential approval.
The suspended minister, Betta Edu, claims the N585 million payment was intended for vulnerable groups in certain states.
Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged Nigerians to await the findings of the anti-graft investigation and refrain from passing judgment on the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.
The APC governors emphasized the importance of allowing the investigation to be completed before making conclusions.
In a related development, the Akoko Youth Forum has called on President Bola Tinubu to conduct a thorough, fair, and unbiased investigation into the allegations surrounding the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The group also urged the President to ignore calls for the suspension of the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, pending the ongoing investigation.
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