Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development of Nigeria - Government Ministry, EFCC did Not Arrest Our Chief Executive Officer, According To Zenith Bank

Zenith Bank has refuted reports that Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, the bank's Chief Executive Officer, was arrested in connection with alleged misappropriation of funds at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development of Nigeria - Government Ministry.

On Tuesday, there were reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detained the CEOs of Zenith, Jaiz and Providus Banks.

Some other reports said the top executives were at the anti-graft agency headquarters to give account documents of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development of Nigeria - Government Ministry.

Contrary to this, Mr Michael Otu, Zenith Bank's secretary and general counsel, said the reports are “entirely not true and not accurate”.

Mr Michael Otu said "We have become aware of inaccurate reports circulating online and certain news agencies alleging that Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, the group managing director/chief executive officer of Zenith Bank Plc, was arrested and held by the anti-graft agency on Tuesday January 9, 2024, in connection with an alleged fraud at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development of Nigeria - Government Ministry."

“We wish to clarify that these reports are entirely not true. The CEO was not arrested or detained by the EFCC or any other anti-graft agency and is currently fulfilling his roles at the bank.

“We are issuing this public statement to refute the misinformation and ensure that the public and our stakeholders are accurately informed.”

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development of Nigeria - Government Ministry has been under investigation over fraudulent transactions and misappropriation of funds.

Dr. Betta Edu, the minister of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development of Nigeria - Government Ministry, was suspended by President Bola Tinubu on January 8 after she came under fire over a leaked memo wherein she requested that Oluwatoyin Madein, accountant-general of the federation, pay the sum of ₦585,000,000 to a persoanal account.

Dr. Betta Edu claimed the payment instruction followed due process, even though the accountant-general of the federation said she did not carry out the minister’s request because no bulk money “is supposed to be made to a personal account in the name of Project Accountant”.

Dr. Betta Edu, who is being probed by the anti-graft agency, had also endorsed the payment of flight fares for staff to Kogi, even though the north-central state has no airport.

Npower News: Npower Stream 2 Payment News Today

According to Npower News, Npower batch c payment is supposed to continue this month but unfortunately the ex-minister in charge of Npower Dr Betta Edu is under investigation, until after all investigation are concluded before the payment for Npower batch c will start.

Dr Betta Edu few days ago was allegedly involved in misappropriation of funds, Dr. Betta Edu the ex-minister in charge of Npower requested for the transfer of huge sum meant for the poor and vulnerable to a personal account.

According to Npower News, this matter is still being investigated that is why Npower batch c are yet to receive payment. Few days ago President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the anti-graft agency EFCC to conduct a full investigation on all matters of misappropriation of funds in the ministry in charge of Npower. 

Npower batch c are advised to exercise patience until all investigations are over, all eligible Npower batch c will receive their Npower payment.

Femi Pedro Begs Nigerians To Give Dr. Betta Edu The Ex-minister Of Npower One More Chance

According to Npower, the former Lagos deputy governor Mr. Femi Pedro in a statement on Wednesday, said Dr. Betta Edu will learn from her mistakes and properly conduct herself in the future.

The former deputy governor of Lagos said “I first met Dr. Betta Edu the ex-minister in charge of Npower, when Edu was introduced to me as a candidate for Women Leader of our party in Abuja early 2022."

"Shortly after, Dr. Betta Edu the ex-minister in charge of Npower, was in Lagos on a courtesy visit and I immediately liked her charisma, her boldness and confidence.

“Dr Betta Edu the ex-minister in charge of Npower radiates confidence, was eloquent, knew what she wanted and appeared to me as focused, determined and ambitious. Dr. Betta Edu the ex-minister in charge of Npower later won the election and became the Party’s Women Leader.

“Dr Betta Edu worked very hard during the campaign. Edu was everywhere mobilizing women, campaigned with the Presidential Campaign team across the Federation, and participated in most of the events.

“We are all familiar with all her offences and her suspension by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and interrogation by the EFCC.

This is as it should be. I hope and pray that at the end of the day, Edu would have learned a hard lesson on how to conduct herself as a civil servant.

“Dr. Betta Edu the ex-minister in charge of Npower, is like a daughter to me and I feel really sorry for her for the unfortunate situation she finds herself in. I asked myself what if she is my daughter? Would I disown her? She is a promising bright star who could have served this nation in higher capacities.”

According to Npower, Mr. Femi Pedro advised Nigerian youths appointed into public offices to get a mentor with some level of integrity to guide them.

According to Mr. Femi Pedro "The nation needs more young people in civil service and I hope Dr. Betta Edu's misadventure will not discourage others in her age bracket."

“My advice to all Nigerian youths who are appointed to service in public office is to seek out a mentor of a public officer serving or retired with some measure of integrity and good record who will guide and mentor them on how to navigate the challenges encountered with public office.

“There are still many young, smart, focused, and dedicated young Nigerian men and women out there who are interested in the civil service at the leadership level not because of the juicy appointment and power but for the genuine desire to serve the country and the people at large."

"I urge Dr. Betta Edu not to be discouraged but to continue to pursue her dream. The nation needs her.”

Npower: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Grants Dr. Betta Edu The Ex-minister In Charge Of Npower Bail

According to Npower, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted the ex-minister in charge of Npower, Dr. Betta Edu bail, few hours after interrogating as regards the approval she gave for the transfer of N585,000,000 of the ministry’s funds into a personal account.

According to Npower, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday suspended Dr. Betta Edu the ex-minister in charge of Npower, from office and directed EFCC to probe the approval and other scandals, following a public outcry towards the matter.

The anti-graft agency EFCC had immediately summoned Dr. Betta Edu the ex-minister in charge of Npower to appear at its headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday for interrogation.

According to Npower, Dr. Betta Edu honoured the invitation on Tuesday morning and was held in custody till night when she was released on bail.

The anti-graft agency spokesperson, Mr. Dele Oyewale, confirmed on Wednesday that Dr. Betta Edu was released on bail on Tuesday. Mr Dele Oyewale, however, refused to disclose the terms and conditions of the bail.

“She was released on a yester night. I want to tell you that the questioning still continues,” Mr Oyewale said.

According to Npower, when the anti-graft agency spokesperson, Mr. Dele Oyewale, was pressured to comment on the terms and conditions of the bail and some details of the result of the interrogation sessions that took place on Tuesday, Mr. Dele Oyewale said, “I cannot comment further on the details.”