The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has discovered other fraudulent dealings involving COVID-19 funds, World Bank loan, Abacha recovered loot at the ministry of humanitarian affairs. Spokesperson of the commission, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
The statement said the funds were released to the ministry by the federal government to execute poverty alleviation programmes. The anti-graft agency said its recent investigation into the affairs of the ministry has led to the recovery of N32.7 billion and $445,000 so far.
The statement said the “suspended officials” of the ministry were linked to the fraudulent practice, adding that those found wanting will be prosecuted accordingly.
The commission said, “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.”
