*Says We’re Investigating Several Celebrities Involved In Naira Abuse
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has not cleared anyone involved in the ongoing probe of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, which led to the suspension of Betta Edu, the minister.
In January, President Bola Tinubu had ordered the suspension of Edu and Halima Shehu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Social Investment Programme Authority (NSIPA).
The president had ordered the anti-graft agencies to go after the individuals and their agencies so as to get to the root of the matter.
Many Nigerians had complained that no update had been given on the probe months after the president’s order.
However, in the March edition of the agency’s monthly e-Magazine titled: EFCC Alert, Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the anti-graft commission, had said N30 billion had been recovered from the probe while 50 bank were under probe.
But on Sunday, spokesman of the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, clarified that its investigations that yielded recovery of N30bn was not about individuals but about the intricate web of fraudulent practices in the system.
The anti-graft agency also revealed that the recovered sum was part of the fraudulent dealings involving COVID-19 funds, the World Bank loan, Abacha recovered loot that was released to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and Social Development.
While disclosing this to journalists in Abuja, he explained that the fund was released by the Federal Government to execute its poverty alleviation mandate.
Oyewale, who further clarified that the officials of Humanitarian ministry, including Edu, who were invited by the commission as part of the probe have not been cleared by the anti-graft agency.
“The 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.
“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. 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.
“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,” Oyewale said.
Also, the EFCC noted that the agency is aware of the viral videos showing Nigerians abusing the naira.
The anti-graft agency also commended the public for raising consciousness to the sanctify of the national currency.
“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,” the statement reads in part.
“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.”
On April 4, Bobrisky, the social media celebrity, was arrested by the commission in Lagos for defacing the naira notes.
The crossdresser was arraigned on a six-count charge by the EFCC.
On Friday, Abimbola Awogboro, a judge of the federal high court in Lagos, sentenced Bobrisky to six months in prison for abusing the naira notes
Awogboro, in her verdict, also ruled that the sentence is without the option of a fine, saying it would serve as a deterrent to other persons fond of abusing and mutilating the Nigerian currency.
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