Controversial erstwhile Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye has been taken into custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of stealing N138million.
The anti-graft agency accused her of breaching procurement rules and diverting public funds while distributing the ministry’s 2023 budget.
Kennedy-Ohanenye arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday around 11 a.m. and was still being questioned as of the time of this report.
Sources within the commission claim that donations meant for the P-Bat Cares for Women Initiative were allegedly diverted for personal use.
She has not been granted administrative bail, and investigations are ongoing.
The former minister was among five cabinet members dismissed by President Bola Tinubu in October 2024. Before her removal, she had faced scrutiny from a House of Representatives committee over an alleged N1.5 billion debt owed to contractors.
Lawmakers accused the ministry of awarding contracts outside the approved 2023 budget and diverting funds meant for contractor payments.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) is also looking into the ministry’s handling of funds.
The former minister has denied any wrongdoing, stating in previous interviews that she was not under investigation for fund misappropriation.
