Sources within the EFCC disclosed that the recovered sum is part of the N37,170,855,753.44 allegedly laundered during Umar-Farouk's tenure. The funds were traced to 38 different bank accounts linked to a contractor, James Okwete. Following the placement of a lien on Umar-Farouk and Okwete's bank accounts, the EFCC successfully recovered N30 billion. Both the former minister and the contractor are currently under intense investigation by the anti-graft agency.

In a parallel investigation, the EFCC has exposed another financial irregularity amounting to N17 billion linked to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs under the leadership of Betta Edu, the successor to Umar-Farouk. President Bola Tinubu recently suspended Edu due to her alleged involvement in the scam. The EFCC has already recovered over N500 million associated with this particular fraud, and Edu continues to face questioning.

Additionally, the suspended Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme, Halima Shehu, is under investigation for an alleged N44 billion fraud.

Despite repeated attempts to reach the EFCC for comments, the spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, declined to provide any statements on the ongoing investigations.

In a broader context, the EFCC reported a remarkable total recovery of N70,556,658,370.50 between October 2023 and January 19, 2024. This comprehensive figure includes N60,969,047,634.25, $10,522,778.57, £150,002.10, and €4,119.90. The EFCC received a total of 3,325 petitions, accepted 2,657 of them, and secured 747 convictions for financial crimes, ranging from money laundering to internet fraud during the same period.

The breakdown of recoveries across various commands and zones highlights the agency's success in tackling financial crimes nationwide. With ongoing investigations and convictions, the EFCC continues its commitment to eradicating corruption and promoting financial transparency in Nigeria.