Former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, spent her first night in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) custody on Thursday, after being questioned over her alleged involvement in the misappropriation and diversion of public funds amounting to N138,413,253.89.
Ohanenye arrived at the EFCC headquarters around 11 a.m. on Thursday and was interrogated by operatives regarding her alleged role in the misappropriation, violation of procurement processes, and diversion of public funds.² The funds were allegedly misappropriated during the disbursement of the 2023 budgeted allocation for the ministry.
According to a top source within the commission, Ohanenye is being investigated for diverting funds donated for the P-Bat Cares for Women Initiative for her personal enrichment. The EFCC’s investigation revealed that the former minister breached due process in the ministry’s budget disbursement and violated procurement laws.
Ohanenye was among five ministers relieved of their duties following the 19th Federal Executive Council meeting held at the State House in October 2024. President Bola Tinubu reappointed the former Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, as the new Minister of Women Affairs.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain a reaction from the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, proved abortive.
