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.
Edu, who appeared at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, has been under intense questioning by commission investigators regarding a N44bn fraud uncovered in the ministry.
The investigation has also extended to managing directors of three commercial banks who were questioned on Tuesday in connection with the alleged fraud.
The scandal came to light after a leaked memo revealed that the suspended minister directed a significant sum to a private account. The ministry claims the payment was intended for vulnerable groups in specific states, but allegations of misappropriation have been vehemently denied.
In response to public pressure, the President suspended Edu on Monday, directing her to hand over to the permanent secretary. Subsequently, Edu honored the EFCC’s invitation on Tuesday, facing an extensive interrogation that led to the seizure of her personal and official passports. She is now restricted from leaving the country.
Her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, also faced a 12-hour interrogation on Monday over the alleged laundering of N37.1bn during her tenure. Her passport was seized as part of bail conditions.
An EFCC source stated that the passports were confiscated to prevent the ministers from fleeing the country during the ongoing investigation. In addition to Edu and Umar-Farouq, Mrs. Halima Shehu, National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme, has also been suspended over alleged financial misappropriation. Shehu faces daily reporting to the EFCC as part of her bail conditions.