The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) said it has recovered N30billion in the probe of the National Social Investment Programme Authority (NSIPA) former CEO Halima Shehu and suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Betta Edu
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The anti-graft also disclosed that it placed 50 bank accounts under scrutiny over the probe.
President Bola Tinubu suspended Edu and Shehu about three months ago for alleged financial misappropriation.
The President also suspended the Social Investment Programme while directing the EFCC to take over the case and probe both embattled officials.
Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, stated this in the March edition 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.”
Meanwhile, Edu has distanced herself from the alleged recovery and accounts under scrutiny.
A statement by her Special Adviser on Media, Rasheed Olarenwaju, on Monday pointed out that the EFCC had issued a clarifying statement on the matter to dispel misconceptions and misinformation circulating on social media platforms.
He clarified that facts had emerged proving that Edu is not associated with any scrutiny related to funds transferred to 50 bank accounts.
