The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is yet to release the final reports of its investigations into the alleged fraud cases involving former Ministers of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouk and Betta Edu, 15 months after investigations began, according to a report by Daily Trust.
The investigations also involve former Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, and a contractor, James Okwete. Despite massive recoveries and widespread public interest, the EFCC says the investigations are still ongoing.
Over ₦30 billion was reportedly recovered by the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) from over 50 bank accounts linked to the ministry during the period Edu and Sadiya held office.
How the Scandal Began
Trouble started when a memo surfaced online, allegedly showing Betta Edu instructing the then Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer ₦585 million into a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, purportedly serving as Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
Further controversy arose when documents showed Edu approving airfares to Kogi State, despite the state having no airport.
Following these developments, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Betta Edu on January 8, 2024. About a week earlier, Halima Shehu had been suspended as CEO of NSIPA over alleged financial malfeasance involving the movement of ₦44 billion into private and corporate accounts within four days in December 2023.
The EFCC also interrogated Sadiya Umar-Farouq over allegations concerning the mismanagement of ₦37.1 billion social intervention funds during her tenure.
In response to these scandals, Tinubu set up a panel led by Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to reform the financial architecture and operations of social investment programs like N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfer, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), and Home Grown School Feeding Programme — all domiciled in the ministry during Edu and Sadiya's tenure.
Investigations Status
Sources revealed that despite earlier submissions of an interim report to President Tinubu in October 2024, no formal charges have been filed against any of the officials under investigation. The interim report detailed recoveries of about ₦30 billion returned to the Federal Government within two months of the arrests.
According to EFCC insiders, the case complexity stems partly from the involvement of top bankers and highly connected individuals, making it a "herculean task" to trace the funds properly. EFCC officials maintain that they are committed to pursuing the case thoroughly to avoid failures in court due to weak evidence.
An EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, when contacted, confirmed that investigations are still ongoing but declined to comment on when the investigations would conclude.
In a previous bulletin, EFCC Alert, the agency stated:
“We have recovered over ₦30 billion, which is already in the coffers of the Federal Government. It takes time to conclude investigations; we started this matter less than six weeks ago. Some cases take years to investigate."
The bulletin also pointed to the complexity, involving over 50 bank accounts being scrutinized.
Public Concerns Over Delays
The Executive Director of the Centre for Responsive Governance, Ayodeji Ologun, criticized the delay, suggesting it sends the wrong message about the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
He stated:
"Justice delayed is justice denied. Waiting for investigations into such massive fraud for 15 months raises concerns about whether there are real consequences for corruption in this country."
He also alleged that political affiliations might be influencing the pace of the investigation.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre, Olanrewaju Suraju, urged the EFCC and federal government to update Nigerians on the status of the investigation.
“Nigerians commended the EFCC’s initial actions. They now await the next steps, particularly court charges, after more than a year."
Despite initial recoveries and suspensions, the scandal surrounding Betta Edu, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, Halima Shehu, and others remains unresolved. As Nigerians grow increasingly impatient, the EFCC insists that a thorough, evidence-backed prosecution is crucial, even if it takes more time.
