Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) says it has uncovered other fraudulent dealings involving COVID-19 funds, the World Bank loan, and recovered funds looted by the late dictator, Sani Abacha.

EFCC said the funds were released to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development by the Federal Government to execute its poverty alleviation mandate. 

The anti-graft agency said this in a statement released on Sunday, signed by its Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

Oyewale explained that a discreet investigation by the EFCC into the alleged financial misappropriation in the ministry opened other fraudulent dealings involving COVID-19 funds and others.

“Discreet investigations by the EFCC have opened other fraudulent dealings involving Covid -19 funds, the World Bank loan, 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,” the commission claimed in the statement. 

Reacting to comments regarding its investigation into the alleged financial misappropriation in the ministry, the EFCC spokesman said that the agency probe was not about individuals but about a system.

He said, “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 N32.7billion and $445,000 so far.

“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,” he revealed. “Those found wanting will be prosecuted accordingly.”

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