The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has grilled the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr Oluwatoyin Madein, over the alleged cases of fraud in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The invitation, it was learnt yesterday, was part of the ongoing investigation of alleged fraud over the suspicious movement of cash from the ministry to bank accounts linked to private individuals.
Madein was also asked to clarify the alleged withdrawal of N3bn from a COVID-19 dedicated account for some projects by the same ministry.
There were indications yesterday that the AGF might still be appearing intermittently for interrogation and clarification in the next week or two.
An anonymous source said the EFCC investigators have uncovered new dimensions in the ongoing probe of the suspended Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, 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 hinted that after interrogation on Monday, the AGF was directed to produce some documents.
“Our team has asked her to explain in detail the modus operandi of managing requests and disbursement of funds to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.
“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.
“A more interesting aspect was the discovery of the withdrawal of N3bn from the COVID-19 Account through the Office of the AGF to fund some activities of the ministry.”
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 in the next one or two weeks.”
