The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested seven officials in the Federal Ministry of Health for their alleged role in the diversion of over $4m.
The money, it was learnt, was part of the money given to Nigeria by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Global Fund is an international financing organisation that aims to attract and disburse additional resources to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
An impeccable source at the commission told Punch correspondent that the suspects were arrested following a directive by the Presidency that the culprits should be brought to book.
The suspects, it was learnt, were from the Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, which was in charge of managing the fund.
A source at the EFCC said, “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 Fund, through its Office of the Inspector-General of Police, had in May issued a report in which it accused Nigerian officials of embezzling part of the fund.
