By Abiola Olawale
The immediate past Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has spoken out for the first time since her interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, addressing allegations of financial misconduct during her tenure.
The ex-minister, who was sacked by President Bola Tinubu in October 2024 as part of a cabinet reshuffle, detailed her visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja via a series of posts on her official X handle on Friday, shedding light on the ongoing probe into an alleged N138 million fraud.
Kennedy-Ohanenye confirmed that she honoured the EFCC’s invitation on March 6, arriving at the Agency’s headquarters at 2:15 PM.
She stated that substantive discussions with investigators began at 2:50 PM and ended at 6:50 PM.
During this time, she provided what she described as a “comprehensive clarifications” regarding her actions and expenditures while in office.
The former minister emphasized what she called her commitment to transparency, noting that she remains ” fully cooperative and available for any further inquiries from the anti-graft agency.”
“I commend the EFCC for their professionalism and hospitality, and I appreciate the opportunity to address the matters that have recently been circulating in the media,” Kennedy-Ohanenye said.
She further asserted that her tenure was marked by diligent resource management, claiming that she and her team not only utilized available funds effectively but also supplemented them with personal contributions to support the Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerian women and children.
The EFCC’s investigation centres on allegations that Kennedy-Ohanenye misappropriated N138,413,253.89 from the Ministry of Women Affairs’ 2023 budget.
Sources indicate that the funds, reportedly earmarked for initiatives such as the P-Bat Cares for Women program, were allegedly diverted for personal enrichment through procurement violations and unauthorized transactions. The former minister, however, maintained that the facts would ultimately vindicate her integrity.
“As a former public servant, I acknowledge that inquiries regarding past official activities are a standard part of ensuring accountability. I assure you that the information will demonstrate the integrity of my actions,” she added.
