EFCC Grilling: Betta Edu responds to allegation as Sadiya Umar-Farouq faces extended interrogation

By Joke Kujenya

The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has made her way to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) headquarters following an invitation to address allegations of financial misconduct amounting to N585 million.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s swift action in suspending Edu on Monday, January 8, reportedly underscored the commitment to transparency and accountability in government affairs.

A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Monday noted that Edu had been directed by the president to hand over duties to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. 

The President also urged full cooperation with the EFCC during the ongoing investigation.

Concurrently, former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq found herself amid a 12-hour marathon interrogation on Monday concerning an alleged N37.1 billion laundering case.

The exhaustive session concluded around 10.30 pm, allowing Umar-Farouq to return home briefly before resuming further clarification at the EFCC headquarters today, Tuesday.

Arriving at the Jabi headquarters of the EFCC at 10.08 a.m. on Monday, Umar-Farouq responded to the Commission’s invitation to shed light on matters under investigation.

As the investigations unfold, both the successor, Edu, and her predecessor, Umar-Farouq, are expected to provide insights into the flagged issues during the preliminary inquiries by the EFCC.