The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken a significant step forward in the investigation of an alleged N585.2m fraud within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs by interrogating the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, and extending invitations to additional ministry personnel.

According to an inside source at the EFCC, Mrs. Madein and other staff members were summoned regarding their suspected involvement in the N585.2m case, which is linked to the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu. Mrs. Madein faced extensive questioning at the EFCC’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, concerning the transfer of government funds from the ministry to a private bank account belonging to a government official.

The interrogation revealed that the N585.2 million from the National Social Investment Office (NSIO) account was designated for payment to the UBA account of Bridget Oniyelu, the Accountant of the Grants for Vulnerable Groups under the ministry. Mrs. Madein asserted that she did not authorize the minister’s memo for the payment into a private account. Although she was not detained and was released unconditionally after providing a written explanation, other ministry officials were also summoned to clarify their involvement in the matter.

A leaked memo exposed how the suspended minister allegedly instructed Mrs. Madein to transfer the funds from the NSIO account to the UBA account of Oniyelu. In response, the AGF rebutted the minister’s claim, affirming that allocations were disbursed to self-accounting MDAs in alignment with the budget, and the responsibility for project implementation and payments rested with such MDAs.

Dr. Betta Edu, the suspended minister, was previously subjected to over 10 hours of interrogation by EFCC operatives regarding the alleged fraud in her ministry. The misappropriated N585 million was intended for grants benefiting vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Cross River, and Ogun states.

In a separate development, Halima Shehu, the embattled Co-ordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, which operates within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, is also under EFCC’s scrutiny for an alleged N44 billion fraud.

This unfolding saga at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs underscores the urgency of the EFCC’s pursuit of justice and transparency in governmental financial matters. As the investigations continue, the public eagerly anticipates accountability and a swift resolution to the alleged financial misconduct.

NAN