In a widening investigation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intensifies its scrutiny of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, with top officials facing questioning. Simultaneously, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) successfully recovers N50bn, preventing its potential embezzlement.
The funds, initially earmarked for vulnerable citizens during the tenure of former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, were intercepted by the ICPC between July and August 2023. Notably, the recovered amount was directed to the Central Bank of Nigeria, preventing an illicit transfer into private accounts.
An anonymous government source reveals, “The funds were recovered during the transition between former President Muhammadu Buhari and the tenure of President Bola Tinubu. President Tinubu, upon appointing the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, mandated the refund to the ministry as part of the Infrastructure Support Fund for states and the Federal Capital Territory, aiming to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.”
Substantiating the interception, an insider discloses, “During the naira scarcity between late 2022 and 2023, the ICPC, under Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, blocked and recovered N50bn from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. The investigation revealed attempts to divert the funds into private accounts during a period without an active minister, prompting immediate intervention.”
In a parallel development, EFCC detectives question numerous senior civil servants from the ministry, extracting valuable information crucial to unveiling financial malfeasance. Suspended Minister Betta Edu, former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, and Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme, are also subjected to investigative sessions.
Edu faces scrutiny for allegedly authorizing a N585m transfer into a private account, while Umar-Farouq is under investigation for alleged N37bn money laundering. Shehu is questioned regarding the alleged movement of N44bn NSIP funds into unauthorized accounts.
Responding to the accusations, Edu’s Media Assistant contends the N585m payment was intended for vulnerable groups. The Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, denies honoring the payment request into a private account, emphasizing that ministries operate as self-accounting entities.
In the wake of these revelations, political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party, urge broader investigations into corruption allegations across various ministries, emphasizing the need to scrutinize civil servants’ activities. The calls for an all-encompassing probe highlight concerns about corruption within the government system and the importance of accountability.
As investigations continue, stakeholders, including the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, stress the necessity of examining not only political appointees but also permanent secretaries and directors involved in procurement processes. This push for comprehensive scrutiny aims to address systemic issues and restore credibility within ministries, departments, and agencies.
