The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained the immediate past Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Pauline Tallen over allegations of money laundering levelled against her.
The former Minister, according to a source, is currently being quizzed at the EFCC zonal headquarters in Wuse, Abuja by operatives of the anti-graft agency.
The source further said that the case bordered on corrupt enrichment to the tune of N2bn.
“The ex-minister arrived at our Abuja Zonal Command (not the headquarters), on invitation, at about 12pm, but she is still being grilled by investigators of the commission as at 8:30pm.
“She’s being investigated for alleged misappropriation of funds and corrupt enrichment to the tune of N2bn, and part of the money was allegedly diverted from the African First Lady Peace Mission Project.”
Spokesperson for the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, could not be reached as of press time.
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In another development, a yet-to-be-identified labourer has died after falling into a septic tank belonging to a church in Badore, Ajah area of Lagos State.
It was gathered that the incident happened on Friday when the deceased victim was engaged by the leadership of the church to work on the premises.
A source in the area disclosed that the labourer had started doing his job when one of those residing in the premises of the church could no longer sight him on the spot.
He said, “When the people around the premises noticed his absence where he was working, they started to look for him. It was in the process of trying to locate his whereabouts that his body was discovered in the soakaway.”
The incident was said to have caused panic in the area as residents alleged that the deceased victim was used for ritual purposes, while others claimed that his body was mutilated.
As a result, an angry mob stormed the church premises, destroyed some properties and set the building on fire.
“A cow that was tied close to the church was seized by the mob. They later killed the cow and shared the meat in the community.” the source further disclosed.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.
He said, “Someone was engaged to evacuate the septic tank in the church. While he was doing the job, he fell into the septic tank. He was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. And some angry youths burnt the church. The body was not mutilated. The policemen were there and they took pictures and no part of his body was removed.”