Josiah
Nigeria’s financial watchdog has announced the recovery of 30 billion naira ($24 million; £19 million) as part of an ongoing corruption investigation into a suspended minister. The funds were found across more than 50 bank accounts, according to the watchdog.
The minister in question, Betta Edu of the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry, was initially suspended in January amid allegations of diverting $640,000 of public funds into a personal bank account. Despite denying any wrongdoing, her office explained that she had authorized the transfer to an account not in her name, citing it was for implementing grants to vulnerable groups.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported that during nearly six weeks of investigation, they have uncovered numerous avenues for scrutiny. The EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, emphasized the complexity of the investigation, noting the examination of over 50 bank accounts with traced funds. He urged patience from Nigerians awaiting justice, assuring that the agency was diligently pursuing the probe.
Olukoyede reiterated that the recovered funds had been returned to the federal government’s coffers, providing reassurance regarding their disposition.
