EFCC makes counter move on Betta Edu and Umar-Farouq

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken a decisive step in its ongoing investigations into alleged scandals within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, seizing the passports of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Betta Edu, and her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq.

According to a reliable source within the EFCC, the move to confiscate their passports was a precautionary measure to prevent any potential attempt to flee the country during the investigation.

“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,” the source stated.

Edu was reported to have arrived at the EFCC’s headquarters on Tuesday morning to respond to inquiries regarding alleged financial improprieties within the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Ministry.

This development follows the emergence of a leaked memo indicating Edu’s request to the Federation’s Accountant General for the transfer of N585 million, intended for vulnerable individuals, into a private account belonging to one Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.

Subsequently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered a comprehensive probe into Edu’s actions and a thorough investigation into the ministry’s affairs.

Similarly, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the former Minister during President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, faced questioning concerning purported fraudulent activities that occurred under her leadership, with the alleged sum in question exceeding N40 billion.

In connection with the ongoing investigations involving Betta Edu and Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the EFCC summoned the Chief Executive Officers of Zenith, Providus, and Jaiz banks to its office on Tuesday for further inquiries.

Additionally, Halima Shehu, the suspended chief executive officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, remains under EFCC investigation in connection with these matters.