The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized the passports of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, as investigations into the scandals within the ministry continue. Edu, who faced a marathon interrogation at the EFCC headquarters, had her passports confiscated to prevent her from leaving the country during the ongoing probe.
"The commission has seized the passports of the two ministers, Sadiya Shehu and Betta Edu. We have also seized Mrs Halima Shehu’s passport pending the conclusion of investigations. The commission does not want to risk having any of them leave the country while they still have questions to answer," - EFCC Source
The scandal involving Edu erupted after a leaked memo revealed her directive to transfer N585 million to a private account. Meanwhile, managing directors of three commercial banks were interrogated in connection with the uncovered N44 billion fraud. The passports of Edu and Umar-Farouq were seized to ensure their presence during investigations.
"The MDs of the banks were grilled by our interrogators at the EFCC headquarters on Tuesday. They were invited and are being probed in connection with the uncovered N44bn fraud and the N585m involving Halima Shehu and Betta Edu." - EFCC Source
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar commended the suspension of Edu but called for a broader reform of the ministry, alleging the misuse of funds meant for the poor.
"Betta Edu should not be the fall guy. Others who have remotely and wickedly benefitted from money that was meant for poor Nigerians ought to be fished out, probed, and prosecuted too. It is demonic and tendentiously wicked to steal in the name of the poor." - Atiku Abubakar
The APC cautioned Atiku against premature conclusions, emphasizing the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
"Atiku, from his record, it was said somewhere that he read elementary law. And if indeed he read law at whatever level, even if it is a kindergarten level, ought to know that the presumption of the law on an accused is that he is innocent until proven guilty." - Bala Ibrahim, APC Director of Publicity
In a related development, the PDP called for the suspension and investigation of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over his alleged involvement in a contract awarded by Edu. Tunji-Ojo denied being summoned to the Presidential Villa, clarifying that his visit was a scheduled meeting with President Tinubu.
"The sensational social media headline that says the minister was summoned to Aso Rock was quite misleading and should be discountenanced by Nigerians." - Tunde Alao, Media Aide to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
