Betta Edu: EFCC Recovers $445,000, N3bn in Ongoing Investigation

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that it recovered about $445,000, and N3 billion in the ongoing investigation into the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

EFCC’s spokesman Dele Oyewale, made the announcement on Sunday.

Oyewale revealed that the 445,000, and N3 billion were recovered between March and April, supplementing the earlier recovery of N30 billion, which was previously referenced by EFCC Chairman Olu Olukoyede in a prior interview.

He clarified that the interview with Olukoyede, released in mid-March, reflected the recovery status at that time—specifically, the N30 billion.

However, since then, the Commission has made further progress, recovering an additional N2.7 billion and $445,000 in connection with the ongoing probe.

Recall that the investigation was initiated by the EFCC under the instruction of President Bola Tinubu following the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.

The scope of the investigation also included Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, and the Coordinator of the National Social Insurance Programmes Agency, Halima Shehu.

READ ALSO:Betta Edu Clarifies N30bn Investigation by EFCC

In a statement titled “Beta Edu and other Matters: For the Purpose of Clarity,” EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated that no officials from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs have been cleared in the ongoing investigations into financial misappropriation.

The recovered funds—totaling N32.7 billion and $445,000—are linked to fraudulent dealings related to COVID-19 funds, World Bank loans, and the Abacha loot.

The investigation also involved scrutiny of banks implicated in the fraud, with managing directors providing crucial statements.

He said:
“No officials from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs have been cleared in ongoing investigations into financial misappropriation.

“The EFCC has recovered N32.7bn and $445,000 in the ongoing investigation. Investigations have uncovered fraudulent dealings related to COVID-19 funds, World Bank loans, and Abacha loot.

“Banks involved in the fraud are being investigated, with Managing Directors providing.”