We’ve recovered N32.7billion and $445,000 from Humanitarian Affairs Ministry investigations, says EFCC
Investigations into the alleged fraud involving past and suspended officials of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development have led to the recovery of N32.7billion and $445,000, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has said.
According to a press statement issued by the Commission’s Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC conducted covert investigations into the World Bank loan, COVID-19 funds, and recovered Abacha loot released to the Ministry by the Federal Government to carry out its poverty alleviation mandate. The statement added that investigations have also connected several Ministry officials who are under suspension to the purported financial malfeasance.
Oyewale said, “At the outset of investigations, past and suspended officials of the Humanitarian Ministry were invited by the Commission and investigations into the alleged fraud involving them have yielded the recovery of N32.7billion and $445,000 so far.”
He clarified that the Commission’s investigations are not about specific individuals but are directed at the elaborate network and system of fraudulent activities. Oyewale revealed that investigations are underway into the alleged banks involved in the fraud with indicted banks’ managing directors providing insightful testimony to investigators looking into the violations. He promised that those found in violation would face appropriate legal action.
The EFCC noted that the anti-graft Commission has exonerated none of those suspected of being involved in the fraud as investigations are ongoing, urging the public to disregard any claim to the contrary.
On the issue of the abuse of the Naira, Oyewale informed that the Commission is looking into multiple celebrities who have abused the nation’s currency, advising the public to be cautious of breaking laws against the crime because the EFCC will not back down from its no-sacred-cow policy.
