The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confiscated the passports of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, as part of ongoing investigations into alleged scandals within the ministry. Edu, who appeared before EFCC investigators on Tuesday, is being questioned about the uncovered N44bn fraud in the ministry, while managing directors of three commercial banks were also reportedly interrogated regarding the same fraud. The passports have been seized to prevent the ministers from leaving the country during the investigation.
Edu’s involvement in a leaked memo directing the transfer of N585m to a private account has sparked public outrage, leading to her suspension by President Bola Tinubu. The scandal involves claims that the payment was meant for vulnerable groups, but questions have been raised about the legitimacy of the transactions. Umar-Farouq, Edu’s predecessor, was also questioned for 12 hours on Monday over the N37.1bn allegedly laundered during her tenure.
In a related development, the APC has cautioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against jumping to conclusions, emphasizing that Edu is not guilty until proven otherwise. Atiku accused the APC of using the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs as a cash cow, calling for the reform of the ministry and a thorough investigation to identify all those involved in the alleged financial misappropriations.
The PDP, on its part, has urged President Tinubu to suspend and investigate the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over his alleged involvement in a N438m contract awarded by Edu. Tunji-Ojo denied wrongdoing and clarified that he was not summoned to the Presidential Villa but had a scheduled meeting with the president to discuss the online passport portal. Former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau commended Tinubu for suspending Minister Betta Edu.
