The passports of Betta Edu, the suspended minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, and Sadiya Umar-Farouq, her predecessor, have been seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the most recent development surrounding the scandal in the ministry.
This move is a result of the current inquiry into possible financial irregularities at the ministry.
The scandal around Edu began when a leaked document revealed her order to move N585 million to a private account that was purportedly meant for vulnerable populations in the states of Lagos, Ogun, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
NSIPA Crisis: Betta Edu, Justifies Payment of N585m into Private Account
Bola Tinubu dismissed Edu on Monday and gave her instructions to transfer responsibility to the permanent secretary notwithstanding her denial and assurance that the transaction was legitimate.
Edu accepted the EFCC’s invitation on Tuesday and was subjected to a lengthy interrogation period. Her professional and personal passports were confiscated during this time, prohibiting her from leaving the nation. In a same vein, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, her predecessor, was subjected to a 12-hour interrogation regarding the purported N37.1 billion in money laundering during her term.
Umar-passport Farouq’s was also seized as part of the terms of her release from custody.
An anonymous source from the EFCC told Punch, “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.”
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