The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has recovered N30 billion in the continuing investigation of Betta Edu, suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and Halima Shehu, former CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Authority, or NSIPA.
In addition, the anti-graft agency revealed that 50 bank accounts are now being investigated.
President Bola Tinubu suspended Edu and Shehu almost three months ago for alleged financial theft.
The president also stopped the Social Investment Programme, instructing the EFCC to take over the case and investigate both accused officials.
Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the EFCC, revealed this in the March issue of the anti-graft agency’s monthly e-magazine, EFCCAlert.
He said:
“We have laws and regulations guiding our investigations. Nigerians will also know that they are already on suspension and this is based on the investigations we have done, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has proved to Nigerians that he is ready to fight corruption.
“Moreover, with respect to this particular case, we have recovered over N30 billion, which is already in the coffers of the Federal Government. It takes time to conclude investigations; we started this matter less than six weeks ago.
“There are cases that take years to investigate. There are so many angles to it. And we need to follow through with some of the discoveries that we have seen. Nigerians should give us time on this matter; we have professionals on this case and they need to do things right. There are so many leads here and there.
“As it is now, we are investigating over 50 bank accounts that we have traced money into. That is no child’s play. That’s a big deal. Then you ask about my staff strength. And again, we have thousands of other cases that we are working on.”
cc: Daily Post Ng
