A claim that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released a list of some valuable properties recovered from the suspended Nigerian minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has surfaced online.
The list which is now viral on social media contains valuable items such as a filling station, an estate and millions of naira among other assets purportedly owned by the suspended minister.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Edu on January 8, 2024, following a leaked memo alleging that she approved the transfer of over N585 million into the personal account of one Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.
Following her suspension, the EFCC invited her for questioning and investigation but she was subsequently released after hours of grilling and expected to report daily to the anti-graft commission.
A Facebook user, Prince Toyin Akingbade posted the list on the app with a caption thus:
“EFCC exposes Betta Edu, lists atrocities.
“The Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has allegedly revealed various assets belonging to the suspended Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu, since becoming minister.
The reports quoted sources within the EFCC to have disclosed the information.
According to the reports, Edu is discovered to have owned the following:
Ownership of an estate at Linda Chaulker Road, Asokoro Extension worth N750 million.
Plaza at El-Rufai Crescent Guzape Asokoro Extension worth N1.4 billion.
One filling station along Abuja-Kubwa Express way, worth N1.2 billion.
Ownership of four (4) estates at Metropolitan Estate Abuja worth N350 million.
Six (6) plots of land in airport road Abuja worth N300 million.
Four (4) estates at airport road worth N530 million.
Two (2) estates in Federal Housing Estate Calabar Cross River State worth N190 million.
One (1) Dillion station in Calabar metropolis worth N430 million.
Cash said to have been dscovered by the EFCC are allegedly said to have included the following:
N2.7 billion in Zenith bank, N725 million in First bank, N388 million in Polaris bank, $2.1 million in Zenith bank, £57,000 in zenith bank, €13,000 in zenith bank, $6500 in Polaris bank. The report quoted the anti-corruption agency to have said: “We are checking for more including jewellery.”
The post was also seen here and here on Facebook, among other social media platforms.
CLAIM
EFCC releases list of items recovered from suspended minister, Betta Edu.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.
First, The FactCheckHub reviewed the media handles of EFCC including Facebook, X and its website but we could not find the viral list on the handles of the anti-graft agency or any information suggesting such.
In addition, The FactCheckHub searched the internet but found no credible media report regarding the purported items recovered from the suspended minister.
For further clarification, when The FactCheckHub contacted the Spokesperson of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, he debunked the viral list adding that investigation is still ongoing and the outcome has not been made public yet.
THE VERDICT
The claim that EFCC releases list of items recovered from suspended minister, Betta Edu, is FALSE; findings show the list did not emanate from the anti-graft agency.
Nurudeen Akewushola is a fact-checker with FactCheckHub. He has authored several fact checks which have contributed to the fight against information disorder. You can reach him via [email protected] and @NurudeenAkewus1 via Twitter.
