Ex-Tinubu’s minister detained in EFCC facility over alleged fraud
A former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, on Thursday spent her first night at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s custody.
Operatives of the anti-graft agency questioned Ohanenye on Thursday, over her alleged involvement in the misappropriation, violation of procurement processes, and diversion of public funds amounting to N138,413,253.89.
The funds were allegedly misappropriated during the disbursement of the 2023 budgeted allocation for the ministry.
A top source within the commission disclosed that the former minister arrived at the EFCC headquarters around 11 a.m. on Thursday and was interrogated by operatives regarding her alleged involvement in the fraud.
The source said, “Investigators are questioning former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, over her alleged role in the misappropriation, violation of procurement processes, and diversion of public funds totaling N138,413,253.89.
“She arrived at the commission’s headquarters around 11 a.m. on Thursday and is currently facing interrogators over her alleged involvement in the fraud.
“Investigations by the EFCC revealed that funds donated for the P-Bat Cares for Women Initiative were diverted.”
Efforts to obtain a reaction from the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, proved abortive at the time of filing this report.
The PUNCH reports that Ohanenye was among five ministers relieved of their duties following the 19th Federal Executive Council meeting held at the State House in October 2024.
In her place, President Bola Tinubu reappointed the former Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, as the new Minister of Women Affairs.
