Alleged Fraud: EFCC Seizes Passports of Former Minister, Sadiyya and Suspended Minister Betta Edu

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken decisive action against suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and Former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, by seizing their passports as part of an ongoing probe into alleged financial irregularities within the ministry.

As reported, EFCC disclosed that the passports of Edu and her predecessor, Umar-Farouq, were seized to prevent any potential attempts to flee the country during the investigations.

“The commission has seized the passports of the two former ministers, Sadiya Umar-Farouq and Betta Edu. We have also seized Mrs. Halima Shehu’s passport pending the conclusion of investigations. The commission does not want to risk having any of them leave the country while they still have questions to answer,” as reported. 

The move comes in the wake of startling revelations after Edu appeared at the anti-graft agency’s headquarters to address inquiries regarding alleged financial impropriety within the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Ministry.

The uproar began following the surfacing of a leaked memo exposing Edu’s request from the Federation’s Accountant General for the transfer of N585 million, earmarked for vulnerable citizens, into a private account belonging to Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.

Responding to public outcry, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu swiftly ordered a comprehensive investigation into Edu’s actions and the ministry’s operations.

In parallel, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the former Minister during the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, found herself under the EFCC’s scrutiny regarding alleged fraudulent activities that reportedly amounted to over N40 billion.

The EFCC’s investigation has extended beyond the ministers, summoning the Chief Executive Officers of Zenith, Providus, and Jaiz banks to provide crucial information on Tuesday.

Adding to the list of individuals under investigation, Halima Shehu, the suspended CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, is also under the EFCC’s radar.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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