Funds Traced to Over 50 Bank Accounts, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Reports.
Nigeria has recovered 30 billion naira ($24 million) as part of an ongoing corruption probe into suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Betta Edu, according to the country’s financial watchdog. The funds were traced to more than 50 bank accounts.
Dr. Betta Edu was initially suspended in January over allegations of diverting $640,000 of public money into a personal bank account. President Bola Tinubu ordered an investigation into her ministry following the suspension.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been investigating the matter for nearly six weeks and has uncovered “many angles” to examine. The EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, stated that the agency is currently investigating over 50 bank accounts where money has been traced.
Olukoyede urged Nigerians seeking redress to allow the agency time to thoroughly complete its probe. He emphasized that the agency is exploring various discoveries in its investigation and that there is a process to follow for any individuals found guilty.
The EFCC chairman assured that the recovered funds have already been returned to the federal government’s coffers. The suspension of a minister is a rare occurrence in Nigeria, highlighting the significance of this investigation.