Seven officials of the Federal Ministry of Health are now in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over their alleged role in the stealing of $4m intended for fighting HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
The money was said to have been given to Nigeria by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Global Fund is an international financing organisation that raises and disburses resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
An EFCC source said that the suspects who are from the Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, which was in charge of managing the funds were arrested on the orders of the presidency.
“The Presidency directed the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, to investigate the matter. We have made arrests and we are currently compiling our report. We will send it to the Presidency and then charge the suspects to court.
“President Muhammadu Buhari was not happy that the money that was meant to be used in saving lives was stolen. We take this seriously just like the arms scam.”
Global Funds has discontinued further donations to Nigeria since it discovered irregularities in the disbursement of funds earlier given to the country.
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