EFCC grills ex-women affairs minister Uju Kennedy over ‘N138m fraud’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, former minister of women affairs, over allegations of N138 million fraud.

The EFCC alleges that the former minister was involved in the misappropriation, violation of the procurement process, and diversion of public funds to the tune of N138,413,253.89 in the course of disbursing the ministry’s 2023 budget.

A source within the EFCC told TheCable that the former minister arrived at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday at about 11 am and is still being interrogated at the time of this report.

“Investigations by the EFCC showed that funds donated for the funding of the P-Bat Cares for Women Initiative were diverted for her self-enrichment. Investigations are still ongoing. She has not been admitted to administrative bail,” the source said.

Kennedy-Ohanenye was among the five ministers sacked by Tinubu in October 2024.

In December 2024, the former minister said she did not regret her actions as a cabinet member in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In July 2024, a house of representatives committee invited Kennedy-Ohanenye over the “N1.5 billion” debt owed to contractors.

The committee was investigating the alleged diversion of N1.5 billion meant for the payment of contractors.

Kafilat Ogbara, chairperson of the house committee on women affairs and social development, alleged that the ministry awarded contracts not included in the 2023 budget, while the funds were diverted.

“Money for contractors has not been paid, and money has been diverted,” Ogbara said.

“So, how do you pay these contractors?”

Ogbara said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) is also probing the ministry over alleged misappropriation of funds.

In an interview on June 5, Ogbara had said there are “many petitions” against the former minister.

The former minister had denied the allegations, saying she was not under investigation over claims of fund misappropriation.