The Northern Zero Corruption Coalition has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to refrain from diverting its investigation into the suspended National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Program Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu. The group expressed concern about potential attempts to implicate the current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, who has demonstrated transparency and impartiality in her ministerial role over the past few months.
The coalition highlighted the EFCC’s discovery of numerous accounts containing substantial amounts of money, emphasizing that the allegations of the N44.8 billion fraud primarily involve Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the NSIPA.
President Bola Tinubu suspended Shehu indefinitely on Tuesday, following her arrest by EFCC operatives in connection with the alleged N44.8 billion fraud that occurred between December 27, 2023, and December 31, 2023. The group asserted that Shehu, who previously served as the National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, defrauded the government during her tenure.
Barrister Shamsu Dandaji, the National Coordinator, clarified that Halima Shehu served in the position between 2017 and 2022 and is presently serving as the National Coordinator of NSIPA. He emphasized that her suspension and investigation were approved by President Tinubu less than two months after her Senate confirmation.
Barrister Shamsu defended Betta Edu, stating that she has been actively involved in humanitarian interventions in various states, both in the North and the South, showcasing the government’s commitment to the well-being of Nigerians. The group cautioned EFCC against allowing itself to be used against Edu, who is unrelated to the investigations involving Halima Shehu and her former minister.
