Nigeria recovers $24M linked to suspended poverty minister

By Timothy Olanrewaju

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria has recovered $24 million linked to suspended Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Betta Edu, the country’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said Tuesday.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said the money was discovered in 50 private bank accounts in the country in an ongoing investigation into Edu’s corruption allegation case.

"Concerning this particular case, we have recovered over N30 billion ($24 million), which is already in the coffers of the federal government," Olukoyede disclosed in a bulletin titled EFCC Alert.

Edu and some top officials of the poverty alleviation ministry were suspended for the alleged diversion of public funds meant for humanitarian intervention in the country.

She was suspended in January by President Bola Tinubu for corruption and abuse of office.

The EFF head said its investigation, which started six weeks ago, has revealed that more of the diverted funds are being kept in other locations.

"There are so many leads here and there," he said.

Edu is the first minister to be accused of corruption and suspended since Tinubu became Nigeria's leader in May 2023.