By Martin Cole-
Nigeria has made significant strides in its fight against corruption, with the recovery of 30 billion naira ($24 million) as part of an ongoing probe into a suspended minister, announced the country’s financial watchdog.
The funds, which were traced to more than 50 bank accounts, are linked to the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu(pictured)
Edu was initially suspended in January following allegations of diverting $640,000 of public funds into a personal bank account.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu ordered an investigation into Edu’s ministry in response to the allegations, signalling the government’s commitment to combating corruption at all levels.
Corruption in West Africa’s most populous country is rife, and detection is not as common as expected by the populace.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Edu’s office clarified that she had approved the transfer into a personal account not under her name, attributing it to the “implementation of grants to vulnerable groups.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been leading the investigation, uncovering numerous leads and examining multiple bank accounts.
Chairman Ola Olukoyede emphasized the complexity of the probe, stating, “We are investigating over 50 bank accounts that we have traced money into. That is no child’s play. That’s a big deal.” He urged patience from the public, assuring them of a thorough investigation.
Olukoyede reassured Nigerians that the recovered funds were already returned to the federal government’s coffers, marking a significant victory in the fight against corruption. He emphasized the importance of due process and meticulous investigation, stating, “If it is about seeing people in jail, well let them wait, everything has a process to follow.”
The suspension of a minister is a rare occurrence in Nigeria, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations against Edu and the government’s commitment to upholding integrity and accountability in public office.
Nigerians are expecting transparency and justice to prevail. The recovery of such a substantial amount underscores the government’s determination to combat corruption and restore public trust in governance.