The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Sunday, April 14, said it has so far recovered N32.7billion and $445,000 from top officials of the the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
It also said some banks implicated in the ministry’s scandal are being investigated.
It admitted that the Managing Directors of the implicated banks have made useful statements to EFCC investigators.
But the anti-graft agency said it was yet to clear any of the suspects under probe.
It said those found wanting will be prosecuted accordingly.
The EFCC, which gave the status update in a statement through its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said discreet investigations by have been opened on other fraudulent dealings involving Covid -19 funds, the World Bank loan, Abacha recovered loot released to the Ministry.
The statement said: “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.”
The EFCC said it has opened investigations into more activities of the Ministry.
The statement added: ” 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.”
On the involvement of banks, the EFCC said some Managing Directors of such institutions have been interrogated.
The statement said: “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.”
But the EFCC clarified that it was yet to clear anyone implicated in the fraudulent deals under investigation.
“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,” it said.
The commission explained its position on dollarization of the economy and the enforcement of all extant laws.
It added: “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.”
