After launching an investigation into alleged fraud at a government ministry responsible for tackling poverty, Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency has recovered $28.88.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Betta Edu, in January was suspended less than six months after her appointment by President Bola Tinubu, who came to power last year on a promise to revive growth and fight corruption.

Dele Oyewale Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) spokesperson, said in a statement that the probe, ordered by the president, had uncovered a “system and intricate web of fraudulent practices.

He added that so far, 32.7 billion naira ($28.43 million) and $445,000 had been recovered during the investigation into the activities of past and suspended ministry officials.

Oyewale said investigations are ongoing and advancing steadily.

EFCC is also examining the potential misuse of Covid_19 funds, a World Bank loan, and loot recovered from former dictator Sani Abacha which was allocated to the ministry for poverty alleviation programmes in Africa’s most populous country.

Oyewale said Banks that are involved in the alleged fraud are being investigated.Managing directors of the indicated banks have made useful statements to investigators digging into infractions, though he did not provide details of the banks.

Nigeria has struggled for decades with endemic corruption among senior public officials.

Despite being Africa’s top oil producer and biggest economy, the country suffers widespread poverty, which many Nigerians blame on the political elite.

Source:Reuters