Alleged Fund Diversion: FBI, EFCC Probe US-Backed Health Programmes in Nigeria

<p><strong>The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation &lpar;FBI&rpar; is set to work with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission &lpar;EFCC&rpar; to investigate alleged financial irregularities involving funds released for US-backed health programmes in Nigeria&period;<&sol;strong><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The investigation will cover organisations and groups that received funding under programmes supported by the United States Agency for International Development &lpar;USAID&rpar;&comma; particularly interventions targeting HIV and tuberculosis&period;<&sol;p><p class&equals;"ari-link"><strong>Read also&colon;<&sol;strong> <a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;sparknewsdaily&period;com&period;ng&sol;jamb-gives-candidates-until-november-30-to-resolve-old-admission-offers&sol;">JAMB Gives Candidates Until November 30 to Resolve Old Admission Offers<&sol;a><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The FBI made the request during a meeting with EFCC officials in Lagos as both countries seek to strengthen cooperation on financial crimes involving international funds&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>According to EFCC spokesperson&comma; Dele Oyewale&comma; the request was presented by the FBI Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché&comma; Marcus Maccain&comma; during his visit to the EFCC Acting Zonal Director in Lagos&period;<&sol;p><p class&equals;"ari-link"><strong>Read also&colon;<&sol;strong> <a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;sparknewsdaily&period;com&period;ng&sol;tcn-restores-kainji-birnin-kebbi-330kv-line-after-tower-collapse&sol;">TCN Restores Kainji–Birnin Kebbi 330kV Line After Tower Collapse<&sol;a><&sol;p><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Oyewale said the proposed collaboration would strengthen cooperation between the two agencies and support investigations into alleged financial irregularities involving organisations that implemented US-funded programmes in Nigeria&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Maccain explained that the FBI was particularly interested in funds released before the termination of some USAID-supported programmes and how implementing organisations managed money that remained in their possession&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p class&equals;"ari-link"><strong>Read also&colon;<&sol;strong> <a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;sparknewsdaily&period;com&period;ng&sol;stop-the-drama-wikes-aide-slams-peter-obi-over-wifes-n200m-handbag&sol;">&&num;8216&semi;Stop the Drama’ — Wike’s Aide Slams Peter Obi Over Wife’s N200m Handbag<&sol;a><&sol;p><p>&OpenCurlyDoubleQuote;We are seeking stronger engagement with the EFCC to establish how the funds were managed and identify possible financial misconduct arising from the termination of the programmes&comma;” he said&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The development comes amid efforts by the FBI and EFCC to deepen cross-border cooperation in investigating suspected financial crimes involving international development funds&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;