According to the anti-graft agency, Nigerian detectives recovered over $27 million (Ksh.3.5 billion) in a corruption case involving a suspended government minister and other officials.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Betta Edu in January amid allegations that she misappropriated public funds from private bank accounts.
Tinubu also suspended Halima Shehu, the chief of the ministry's social investment fund agency, for alleged fraud. According to local media, she was detained and then freed on bond.
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Former poverty minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq was also allegedly detained for interrogation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, anti-graft agency, said late Sunday that the inquiry into the humanitarian affairs ministry has recovered 32.7 billion naira ($26.4 million) and $455,000.
"Investigations have also linked several interdicted and suspended Ministry officials to the alleged financial malfeasance," it said without giving details.
Tinubu was elected last year on a promise to combat corruption in Nigeria, which remains one of the lowest-ranked countries on Transparency International's corruption perceptions index.
As part of his shakeup, Nigeria's leader has implemented wide economic reforms and suspended vital officials, including former central bank chief Godwin Emefiele and former EFCC director Ibrahim Magufuli.
The poverty rate in Africa's most populous country has risen from 40% in 2018 to 46% in 2023, affecting over 104 million people.
