I wasn’t arrested by EFCC, says Pauline Tallen

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, has denied reports that she was on Friday  arrested by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), disclosing that she visited the anti-graft agency’s office on her own accord.

The former minister was reportedly questioned for allegedly misappropriating N2 billion from the African First Lady Peace Mission Project (AFLPM).

Tallen in a statement issued yesterday, 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 will like to state that there was no formal invitation from the anti-graft agency neither was I arrested.

“Economic and political infrastructure” should be used to serve the nation and “not to be used as a tool for bias or intimidation.”