Betta Edu reports to EFCC now grilling Umar-Farouq over N44b heist
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Betta Edu was on Monday denied access to Aso Rock in Abuja after her suspension as Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Poverty Alleviation Minister for requesting the transfer of N585 million to a private account for disbursement to poor folk in four states.
President Bola Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of her Villa Access Card as she was waiting to see him and the statement of her suspension was being prepared.
Arise News reports Aso Rock security operatives retrieved Edu’s pass from her and the television channel showed on Tuesday a clip in which she was driven away in a pick up van instead of the ministerial SUV she came in with.
Edu appeared for interrogation today at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which on Monday grilled her predecessor Sadiya Umar-Farouq over alleged laundering of N44 billion, with her interrogation continuing today.
Umar-Farouq is accused of laundering N37 billion of the amount through a contractor, James Okwete. She denies the allegation.
However, the EFCC confirmed it has frozen N30 billion of the heist found in private bank accounts.
__________________________________________________________________
Related articles:
Farouq can’t explain how N206b was ‘inserted’ into Humanitarian Ministry budget
Poverty fight coordinator Shehu arrested by EFCC
EFCC finds and freezes N30b NSIPA loot, gives Umar-Farouq 72 hours to show up
Falana joins PDP to demand Edu’s prosecution over attempted diversion of N585m poverty fund
__________________________________________________________________
EFCC implements new policy
In line with the new policy of the EFCC, Umar-Farouq was asked to go home on bail on Monday for another round of questioning today, according to a source in the graft buster who disclosed she reported at about 10.30am on Monday.
She had asked for a three-week grace before honouring the EFCC invitation, but the agency gave her only three days or else she would be declared wanted.
“She has complied with our 72-hour ultimatum, her investigation by our team has started,” the top source confirmed.
Umar-Farouq herself tweeted: “I have, at my behest, arrived at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency to offer clarifications in respect of some issues that the commission is investigating,”
She made what a source described as “a useful statement” to the EFCC at 6.15pm.
Another source also confirmed “We have been grilling her for many hours on all the issues we have isolated for her.
“In line with our new policy, we will allow her to go home. She will however come on Tuesday for another round of interrogation.”
