₦37b, ₦585m Investigation: Travel Restrictions Imposed On Sadiya, Edu, Other Officials

The anti-graft agency has barred Sadiya Umar-Farouq and Betta Edu from traveling amid a ₦37 billion and ₦585 million probe. Additionally, the international passport of the suspended National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, has been impounded.

The trio is currently undergoing interrogation for alleged financial crimes. The seizure of their passports is a condition for the administrative bail granted to them, ensuring the documents remain with the commission until the investigation concludes.

Edu, Umar-Farouq, and Shehu faced questioning by the anti-graft agency, specifically concerning their activities in the ministry, particularly the disbursement of the Humanitarian Fund to beneficiaries.

Furthermore, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has interrogated the managing directors of three banks regarding suspicious payments made by top officials of the ministry under Umar-Farouq and Edu.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who is linked to a company believed to have benefited from a ministry contract, was at Aso Villa, Abuja. Although he had a scheduled appointment regarding the automation of international passport issuance, he did not meet with the President.

An EFCC source stated, “We have asked all those under interrogation to submit their traveling documents. We have seized the passports of Betta, Sadiya, Halima, and others. They are all cooperating with us.”

The three bank managing directors were questioned over suspected conspiracy, accused of failing to raise red flags and engaging in suspicious transactions, violating the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Amendment) 2023.

Minister Tunji-Ojo, along with three other ministers, was seen at the Presidential Villa for a meeting with President Bola Tinubu. However, they were unable to meet him due to his prior engagement with visitors from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Contrary to social media speculations, Tunji-Ojo’s visit was not a summons but a routine briefing on developments in his ministry. He clarified his link to New Planet Projects Limited, stating he resigned from its directorship in 2019.

Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political group, urged President Tinubu not to overlook corruption allegations, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive investigation.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called for the suspension, investigation, and prosecution of Tunji-Ojo over alleged involvement in the movement of N438 million poverty alleviation funds. The party challenged the ministers to publish due process certification documents and details of the verification job.