*Pix above(l-r): Betta Edu and Sadiya Umar Farouq
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Nigerian anti-graft agency, EFCC has seized international passport of President Tinubu’s minister, Betta Edu, as well as that of his predecessor, Buhari’s minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq, amidst thorough investigation over sleaze. Both ministers demonstrated their con-skills while holding sway at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, at different times.
While Sadiya is being quizzed for laundering N37bn through 38 bank accounts, Edu is being grilled over an aggregated sum of N44 billion, which included the recently exposed N585m sleaze.
Edu, who faced questioning at the EFCC headquarters on Tuesday regarding a N44 billion fraud in the ministry, had her personal and official passports seized, to prevent her from leaving the country during the investigation.
The scandal unfolded after a leaked memo revealed Edu’s involvement in directing payment of N585m to a private account. The suspended minister defended the transaction, stating it was meant for vulnerable groups in specific states.
The EFCC’s investigation also extended to managing directors of three commercial banks, who were questioned about their involvement in the fraud.
Edu’s predecessor, Umar-Farouq, faced a 12-hour interrogation on Monday, leading to the confiscation of her passport as part of her bail conditions.
The passports of both ministers were seized to ensure they remain available for further questioning, as the EFCC is said to be determined to prevent any attempt to flee the country while the investigation is ongoing.
In a related development, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his party, the PDP, had called for the suspension and investigation of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over his alleged involvement in a contract awarded by Edu.
Tunji-Ojo, however, denied the allegations and clarified that his visit to the Presidential Villa was for a scheduled meeting with President Tinubu.
This is even as Atiku and PDP further castigated Tinubu for allegedly using the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry as a drain pipe for siphoning scarce resources at his beck and call, supported by his predecessor./PLEASE SHARE
*Tags: Ola Olukoyede, Betta Edu, Sadiya Umar Farouq
