Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development probe: We have not cleared anyone -EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has denied reports flying around that it had cleared some suspects in its ongoing probe of the activities of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

There had been reports that the suspended minister of the ministry, Betta Edu had been cleared.

This was coming after the commission reportedly recovered N30 billion, which Edu claimed was not linked to her and even threatened to sue the BBC over the report.

However, the EFCC on Sunday in a statement by Dele Oyewale,

Head, Media & Publicity, disclosed that its probe was not about individuals but spanned across a widespread network of corruption in the affected ministry.

It urged the public to ignore the insinuations that anyone had been cleared, adding that it’s investigation was still ongoing, adding that it had so far recovered over N32 billion.

The statement, titled: “Setting the Records Straight on Investigations of Humanitarian Ministry”, read:

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has noticed the rising tide of commentaries, opinions, assumptions and insinuations concerning its progressive investigations into the alleged financial misappropriation in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

At the outset of investigations, past and suspended officials of the Humanitarian Ministry were invited by the Commission and investigations into the alleged fraud involving them have yielded the recovery of N32.7billion and $445,000 so far.

Discreet investigations by the EFCC have opened other fraudulent dealings involving Covid -19 funds, the World Bank loan, Abacha recovered loot released to the Ministry by the Federal Government to execute its poverty alleviation mandate. Investigations have also linked several interdicted and suspended officials of the Ministry to the alleged financial malfeasance.

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.  Additionally, the EFCC has not cleared anyone allegedly involved in the fraud. 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.