The CEOs and Managing Directors of Zenith Bank, Providus Bank, and Jaiz Bank have been invited for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on the N44 billion scam that was purportedly discovered at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
As of 4:55 p.m. on Tuesday, our correspondent learned that EFCC interrogators were questioning the senior back executives at the commission’s offices in Jabi, Abuja.
The Suspects Are being held and interrogated
Jerrymusa.com reports that Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, is being held and questioned by the EFCC regarding the $585 million scam.
Additionally, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is investigating Halima Shehu, the troubled coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, on a purported ₦44 billion scam.
An EFCC source confirmed to our correspondent on Tuesday that Zenith, Providus, and Jaiz banks are being questioned about the $44.5 billion scam that was discovered in the ministry involving Edu and Shehu. This information pertains to the senior bank executives’ investigation.
The insider claimed, “Our interrogators here at the headquarters are currently grilling the CEOs and MDs of Zenith Bank, Providus Bank, and Jaiz Bank.”
They were invited and are currently under investigation about the ₦44 billion scam that was discovered and the ₦585 million that included Betta Edu and Halima Shehu.
According to a top source in the anti-graft agency, the suspended minister was invited in response to Tinubu’s directive that a thorough probe covering her actions in the ministry be conducted. The anti-corruption commission informed the media.
Sadiya Farouq, the predecessor of Edu, is reportedly being questioned by EFCC agents on Monday on claims that she laundered N37.1 billion while holding a ministerial position in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Shehu was also ordered to report to the EFCC daily after her release last Wednesday, having been arrested previously for an alleged $44 billion money laundering scheme.
After her suspension, our source learned that the NSIPA Coordinator was detained and placed under EFCC custody on Tuesday night.
44 Billion Fraud
It was discovered that ₦44 billion had been surreptitiously transferred from NSIPA’s accounts into business and private accounts connected to front-persons.
In a Thursday phone chat with our correspondent, the spokesperson confirmed her release from EFCC custody. According to Dele Oyewale, an EFCC representative, Shehu has been ordered to appear daily for interrogations as the investigation proceeds.
Halima Shehu has been freed, but she is still reporting to our interrogators, and she has been ordered to meet with investigators daily while the probe is still on, according to Oyewale.
All Suspects to be Tracked
“Regarding reports on the ₦44 billion and ₦30 billion circulating, her agency was also under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the commission is still tracking down all the suspicious transactions.”
“Because the Ministry and agencies are concentrated on interventions, there is a significant financial stake.
Because the commission is currently tracking the transactions, we are unable to assign a value to each one at this time.