Ongoing investigation of alleged fraud in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development was yesterday extended to the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein.
She was quizzed by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over suspicious movement of cash from the ministry to bank accounts linked to private individuals.
Mrs. Madein was also asked to clarify the alleged withdrawal of N3 billion from a COVID 19 dedicated account for some projects by the same ministry.
There were indications last night that the AGF might still be appearing intermittently for interrogation and clarification in the next one week or two.
According to a source, who spoke in confidence, EFCC investigators have uncovered new dimensions in the ongoing probe of the suspended Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development Minister Dr. Betta Edu, her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq and the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu.
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The source said the AGF was on Monday, after interrogation, directed to produce some documents.
It (source) said: “Our team has asked her to explain in details on the modus operandi of managing request and disbursement of funds to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Devt.
“She was also asked to make relevant letters, circulars and directives available to investigators. And since payment of funds into private accounts by the ministry predated the coming of the suspended minister, the EFCC wanted to know the circumstances which warranted such.
“More interesting aspect was the discovery of the withdrawal of N3billion from COVID 19 Account through the Office of the AGF to fund some activities of the ministry.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “The OAGF is central to the management of funds. This was why we have invited her.”
“We have asked her to be on standby because we may engage her intermittently”.
