Alleged N2bn Misappropriation: I Went to EFCC on My Own Volition, Says Ex-minister, Tallen

Kingsley Nweze in Abuja

The former Minister of Women Affairs under former President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, has said she went to the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of her own volition.

Tallen was grilled by the anti-graft agency on Friday for allegedly misappropriating N2 billion from the African First Lady Peace Mission Project (AFLPM).
Though details of the allegations against the ex-minister were sketchy, a source familiar with the case informed that it bordered on alleged corrupt enrichment to the tune of N2 billion.

Part of the money was allegedly diverted from the African First Lady Peace Mission Project.
But in a statement yesterday, Tallen said she was neither invited nor arrested but was at the EFCC office on her “own accord” to “address the very false allegations” made against her.

She, however, did not provide details of the allegation.
She said: “Owing to the respect for my former principal — Former President Muhammadu Buhari and his good office, I did not previously address the open allegation; however, it has now become necessary to do so.

“Firstly, the decent and appropriate action, should this have been a genuine enquiry, would be to write to the Ministry for Women Affairs, to enquire about any funds sent to the ministry.

“To immediately jump to the open without any proper formal correspondence is highly unprofessional, portrays a lack of respect for the Ministry of Women Affairs and is injurious to my person and character.
“Furthermore, I would like to state that there was no formal invitation from the anti-graft agency neither was I arrested.”