Former Minister Betta Edu found herself under the scrutiny of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as she arrived at the agency's headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. Edu, flanked by her aides and legal representation, is facing investigators in connection with a N585 million disbursement scandal involving the humanitarian affairs ministry.
This development unfolded just a day after President Bola Tinubu suspended Edu, marking her as the first to be removed from the 48-man cabinet inaugurated last August. The suspension came on the heels of widespread criticisms from rights groups and activists.
The Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, further complicated Edu's situation by confirming that her office did not act on the ministry's request for payments.
The President has now directed the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions related to the ministry. Edu, a rising political figure and the youngest in the President's cabinet before her suspension, now faces a turbulent period as the EFCC delves into the details of the alleged financial impropriety.
Meanwhile, Edu's predecessor, Sadiya Farouq, also underwent EFCC questioning on Monday over an alleged laundering of N37.1 billion during her ministerial tenure. The Commission has flagged several issues, and Farouq is expected to return for further clarifications on Tuesday after a 12-hour marathon interrogation.
