The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confiscated the travel documents of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Betta Edu. The travel documents of her predecessor, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq were also seized.

Both are under investigation for various alleged financial malpractices during their respective tenures at the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry. Additionally, Halima Shehu, the former National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIPA), is also facing a probe for the alleged embezzlement of N44.8 billion. The EFCC has reported recovering about N39.8 billion out of the N44.8 billion allegedly embezzled by Shehu.

Betta Edu underwent over 10 hours of questioning at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, on Tuesday. The 37-year-old minister faced inquiries related to an alleged N585 million disbursement fraud. After the extensive interrogation, she was released on bail but required to report to the EFCC office daily. Edu, along with Shehu and Umar-Farouq, is scheduled for further questioning on Wednesday from 11 am.

The embattled minister’s appearance at the EFCC office followed her suspension by President Bola Tinubu, who took this action a day earlier. Edu’s suspension stemmed from her involvement in a N585 million disbursement scandal within the humanitarian affairs ministry, attracting criticism from various rights groups and activists. The President mandated the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to conduct a thorough investigation into the financial transactions of the ministry and related agencies.

Betta Edu, at 37, the youngest member of the President’s cabinet before her suspension, held notable political positions at the state and national levels, including the position of Cross River State Commissioner for Health and National Women Leader of the APC. She played a prominent role in the election campaign of President Tinubu.

In a parallel development, the EFCC continued its interrogation of Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, for the second consecutive day. The former minister faces allegations of laundering N37.1 billion during her tenure. Umar-Farouq was released after a lengthy questioning session on Tuesday and is expected to return on Wednesday for further clarifications on issues raised during the preliminary investigations.