•Also probes more celebrities for naira abuse

By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed that it has begun investigating Managing Directors of Banks and others implicated in the Humanitarian Affairs ministry fraud.

The agency also denied reports that it has cleared some persons said to be involved in financial misappropriation at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, tagged ‘Setting the Records Straight on Investigations of Humanitarian Ministry’, the anti-graft agency maintained that investigations are still ongoing, adding that it has so far recovered N32.7 billion and $445,000 from the Ministry.

Oyewale, who did not mention any name, said the Commission issued the statement due to insinuations that some persons have been exonerated in the course of the investigation.

The spokesperson, who stressed that the investigations were not targeted at any person, noted, “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 N32.7 billion and $445,000, so far.

“Discreet investigations by the EFCC have opened other fraudulent dealings involving COVID-19 funds, the World Bank loan, and 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.

“Those found wanting will be prosecuted accordingly. 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.”

Meanwhile, EFCC has said it is investigating several celebrities suspected of abusing the Naira.

This was revealed in the same statement by EFCC Oyewale.

Oyewale claimed the anti-graft agency has invited several celebrities for questioning, and they have provided valuable information during the interrogation process.

“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,” the statement read in part.

In the past week, popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky was sentenced to six months imprisonment for abusing the Naira.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro handed down the sentence without an option of fine.

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