Pauline Tallen, the former minister of women’s affairs, was questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday for allegations fraudulent enrichment of N2 billion.
As of the time this report was filed last night, the former minister was still being questioned by commission investigators after arriving at the Abuja Zonal Command at the commission’s request at 12 p.m.
Despite the lack of specifics surrounding the claims against the former minister, a person with knowledge of the matter claimed that corrupt enrichment to the tune of N2 billion was a possibility.
It’s claimed that some of the funds were taken away from the African First Ladies Peace Mission project.
Wilson Uwujaren, the Commission’s spokesman, could not be reached for comment.
Recall that Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the former First Lady, had publicly urged the former minister to refund a N500 million payment made by the federal government to the project.
“I would want to express my gratitude to the Nigerian government for their assistance. We also heard that the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs purportedly accepted some funding totaling N500 million on behalf of the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission.
Therefore, she pleaded with the minister to quickly credit the Peace Mission’s account for the sake of accountability.
The anti-graft organization had questioned Kayode Fayemi, the former governor of Ekiti State, on Thursday on the alleged diversion of N4 billion while he was the state’s head of government.
