• ‘Suspended officials re-looted Abacha recovered loot, COVID-19 funds, World Bank loan’
• Commission investigating celebrities involved in Naira abuse

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday disclosed that it has discovered other fraudulent dealings involving COVID-19 funds, World Bank loan and Abacha recovered loot at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

In a statement, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, said the funds were released to the Ministry by the Federal Government to execute poverty alleviation programmes, adding that EFCC recent investigation into the affairs of the Ministry has led to the recovery of N32.7 billion and $445,000 so far.

This was coming hours after the Federal Government revealed plans to resume the intervention schemes three months after the suspension of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had stated this during an interview on Radio Nigeria in Kaduna State on Saturday.

It would be recalled that on January 12, President Bola Tinubu suspended all programmes administered by NSIPA for six weeks, as part of a probe of alleged malfeasance in management of the agency and its programmes. The President had on January 2, suspended Halima Shehu as the CEO of NSIPA and also suspended Betta Edu as minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation on January 8.

But yesterday, the EFCC noted that “suspended officials” of the ministry were linked to the fraudulent practice, saying those found wanting will be prosecuted accordingly, adding that the Commission has not cleared anyone allegedly involved in the fraud.

Oyewale said: “It is instructive to stress that the Commission’s investigations are not about individuals. The EFCC is investigating a system and intricate web of fraudulent practices.

“Banks involved in the alleged fraud are being investigated. Managing Directors of the indicted banks have made useful statements to investigators digging into the infractions.”

Those found wanting will be prosecuted accordingly. Investigations are ongoing and advancing steadily. The public is enjoined to ignore any claim to the contrary.

“On the issue of the works of the Commission against Naira abuse, dollarization of the economy and the enforcement of all extant laws relating to them, the EFCC appreciates the avalanche of public awakening, support and involvement demonstrated so far.

“Increasingly, members of the public are drawing the attention of the Commission to video recording of abuse of the Naira by Nigerians from all walks of life.
“These gestures amply demonstrate rising consciousness of the public to the sanctity of our national currency and the need for collaborative engagement to sustain the tempo.

“To this end, the Commission will always investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the abuse of the Naira. Old videos being exhumed and flying around for the attention of the Commission are noted as the Commission is sensitive to the fact that its Special Task Force against Naira Abuse and Dollarization of the economy commenced operations on February 7, 2024. However, going forward, new videos of such infractions will be investigated and prosecuted.

“At the moment, the Commission is investigating several celebrities involved in Naira abuse. Many of them have made useful statements to the Commission and many more have been invited by investigators working on the matter.

“The EFCC will not relent in its no-sacred-cow mode of operations and the public should be wary of running afoul of laws against the crime.”