The former Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, was on Thursday, March 6, 2025, questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over her alleged involvement in financial misconduct. The questioning stems from accusations that she misappropriated public funds amounting to N138.4 million during her tenure as minister, specifically in relation to the disbursement of the 2023 budgeted funds for her ministry.
Sources within the EFCC confirmed that the ex-minister arrived at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja around 11 a.m. on Thursday, where she was interrogated by officials regarding the alleged financial irregularities. According to the sources, the investigation suggests that a portion of the funds meant for the Ministry of Women Affairs was diverted and used for personal enrichment, rather than for the intended purposes.
At the center of the investigation is the P-Bat Cares for Women Initiative, a program that was meant to empower and support women in various sectors. The initiative, which was part of the government’s efforts to improve the welfare of women across the country, reportedly received donations for its implementation. However, EFCC investigators claim that funds meant for this initiative were allegedly misused by the former minister.
While the interrogation was taking place, it was reported that Kennedy-Ohanenye was not granted administrative bail, indicating that the investigation is still ongoing. The EFCC has not yet made any formal statements on whether the ex-minister will face formal charges.
The case has brought significant attention to issues of financial accountability within Nigeria’s government ministries. Allegations of corruption have been a persistent problem, with critics frequently pointing to the misuse of public funds by government officials.
Kennedy-Ohanenye, a former member of Nigeria’s political scene, was appointed as the Minister for Women Affairs by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023. Her appointment came at a time when the administration was focused on improving the living conditions and opportunities for women and girls across the country. During her brief tenure, she was expected to spearhead initiatives that would support women’s empowerment and promote gender equality.
However, just over a year into her role, in October 2024, she was removed from office by President Tinubu in a major cabinet reshuffle. The reshuffle saw several ministers relieved of their duties, and Kennedy-Ohanenye was among those affected. Her removal from office was attributed to various political reasons, but the recent investigation into her alleged financial misconduct has added another layer of controversy to her tenure.
Kennedy-Ohanenye’s appointment as Minister of Women Affairs was seen by many as a positive move, given her background in advocating for women’s rights. However, her sudden exit from the position, followed by the current EFCC investigation, has raised questions about the transparency and effectiveness of the administration’s efforts to address corruption.
The EFCC’s investigation into the alleged fraud centers around the mismanagement and possible embezzlement of public funds allocated to the Ministry of Women Affairs. The N138.4 million in question was part of the 2023 budget for the ministry, which was intended to be used to support a variety of programs aimed at improving the welfare of women.
Sources close to the EFCC claim that while the funds were meant to fund initiatives such as the P-Bat Cares for Women Initiative, they were allegedly diverted for personal use. The P-Bat Cares for Women Initiative was a flagship program that aimed to address issues such as gender-based violence, access to education for girls, and economic empowerment for women. The alleged misuse of funds intended for this initiative has sparked outrage, particularly among women’s rights advocates who see this as a betrayal of the very cause Kennedy-Ohanenye was supposed to champion.
