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Update : BettaGate Saga : EFCC quizzes Some Bank Directors Over Connection of over N44 billion fraud in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is currently interrogating Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors of Providus Bank, Jaiz Bank and others in connection with the over N44 billion fraud allegedly uncovered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Our correspondent gathered that the senior back executives are currently being quizzed by EFCC interrogators at the commission’s headquarters, Jabi, Abuja as of 4.55 pm on Tuesday.
Our correspondent reports that the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, is currently being held and is undergoing interrogation by the EFCC over ₦585million scandal.
Also, Halima Shehu, the embattled Co-ordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency domiciled in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is being probed by the EFCC over an alleged ₦44bn fraud.
Confirming the probe of the senior bank executives to our correspondent on Tuesday, an EFCC source revealed that Providus, Jaiz banks and others are being questioned over the ₦44.5bn fraud uncovered in the ministry involving Edu and Shehu.
The source said, “The CEOs and MDs of Z, Providus Bank, Jaiz Bank and others are currently being grilled by our interrogators here at the headquarters.
“They were invited and are being probed in connection with the uncovered ₦44bn fraud and the ₦585million involving Halima Shehu and Betta Edu.
“The suspended minister and the coordinator have both made new revelations during their interrogations, and the investigation is still ongoing.”
Edu was suspended by President Bola Tinubu on Monday, over an alleged N585m cash transfer saga.
Betta Edu arrives EFCC office
The suspended minister was invited by the anti-graft agency in compliance with Tinubu’s order that a comprehensive investigation encompassing her activities in the ministry be carried out, a top source in the anti-graft commission told reporters.
Our reporter said that Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Farouq, was queried by EFCC interrogators on Monday, over allegations that she laundered N37.1 billion while serving as a minister in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet.
Also, Shehu was earlier arrested in connection with an alleged ₦44billion money laundering and had been mandated to report to the EFCC every day following her release last Wednesday.
Our correspondent reports that the NSIPA Coordinator was arrested and taken into EFCC custody Tuesday night following her suspension.
It was learnt that the ₦44bn was suspiciously moved from NSIPA’s accounts into private and corporate accounts linked to persons serving as fronts.
Confirming her release from EFCC custody in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Thursday, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale said Shehu has been mandated to meet with EFCC interrogators every day as the investigation continues.
Oyewale said, “Halima Shehu has been released, but she is still answering to our interrogators, and she has been mandated to meet with investigators every day as the investigation is ongoing.
“Concerning reports on the ₦44bn and ₦30bn making the rounds, the commission is still tracing all the suspicious transactions, her agency was under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs too.
“There’s a lot of money involved because the Ministry and agencies are focused on interventions. Hence, we can’t put a figure to all of the transactions now because the commission is still tracing the transactions.”
Nigeria’s D’Tigress have once again etched their name into the history books, emerging as champions of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket in Côte d’Ivoire after a commanding 78-64 victory over Mali in Sunday’s final.
Led by head coach Rena Wakama, the Nigerian side delivered a stellar performance at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan to secure their fifth straight continental crown — a feat no other nation has achieved in the tournament’s history.
The win also guarantees D’Tigress an automatic berth at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, Germany.
Having edged past a tough Senegalese team in a dramatic semi-final, where they rallied in the fourth quarter to secure a hard-fought win, D’Tigress showed a different level of composure and dominance in the final against Mali.
Mali came out strong, finishing the first quarter with a 26-21 lead. But Nigeria responded swiftly, leveling the game 41-41 by halftime.
The third quarter saw D’Tigress turn on the style, as they pulled ahead 61-56. By the final quarter, the Nigerian side tightened their defense and restricted Mali to just eight points, cruising to a 14-point triumph.
With this latest victory, Nigeria has now lifted the Women’s Afrobasket trophy seven times in total — 2003, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 — and remain unbeaten in the competition for a decade. The team’s last loss in the tournament dates back to October 2, 2015, against hosts Cameroon.
This fifth consecutive title reaffirms D’Tigress’ status as the undisputed queens of African women’s basketball.
President Bola Tinubu has bestowed the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger, on the Super Falcons and the entire technical crew.
He also allocated three-bedroom apartments in Abuja to each of the players and the technical crew at the Renewed Hope Estate.
The President also directed the cash award of the naira equivalent of $100,000 each of the 24 players and $50,000 to each of the 11-man technical crew.
This came during a reception in honour of the players and the coaching crew at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said, “I hereby conferred on the players, the 11 man technical team with national honours of the Officer of the Order of the Niger.
“Additionally, I have I directed the allocation of three bedroom apartments in the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
“Then there is the cash award of the naira equivalent of $100,000 US dollars each 24 players and the naira equivalent of $50,000 to the 11-man technical crew.”
The President also said he didn’t want to watch the WAFCON final because he didn’t want to have high blood pressure.
Earlier, the President and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, received the Super Falcons at the Presidential Villa on Monday, following their record victory at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Saturday.
The coaster buses conveying the players and coaching crew arrived at the forecourt of the Aso Rock shortly before 04:36 p.m. local time.
The Super Falcons, 10-time African champions after their 3-2 comeback over the Atlas Lionesses Morocco, were received by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, upon their arrival.
In a post-match video call on Saturday night, President Tinubu praised captain and tournament MVP Rasheedat Ajibade.
He also praised Nigeria’s rally from a 2-0 half-time deficit to claim the WAFCON title.
Over the past decade, the Super Falcons have won four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2024, bringing their total to 10
The Super Falcons emerged champions of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after pulling off a stunning second-half comeback to defeat hosts Morocco in a pulsating final.
The Moroccans had taken a 2-0 lead in the first half, capitalizing on early momentum and a roaring home crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
But the Nigerians, showing the grit and pedigree that has made them the most successful team in the tournament’s history, roared back after the break.
WAFCON final: Oramah FC chairman pledges ₦500,000 per goal to Super Falcons
First Lady rallies Super Falcons to victory in WAFCON final
A spirited second-half display saw the Super Falcons flip the script in dramatic fashion, scoring twice to silence the home fans and reclaim the continental crown.
With this victory, Nigeria completes the 10th WAFCON title
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