Former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, has clarified the circumstances surrounding her visit to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning regarding allegations of corrupt enrichment. On Friday, Tallen appeared at the EFCC’s zonal command in Abuja.

The former Minister was specifically being investigated for her alleged involvement in the misappropriation of N2 billion from the African First Lady Peace Mission Project (AFLPM).

In response to the news, Tallen released a statement on Saturday morning, asserting that her visit to the EFCC office was voluntary and not a result of an invitation or arrest. She emphasized that she took the initiative to go to the anti-graft agency’s office in order to address the recent false allegations made against her.

However, Tallen did not provide any specific information regarding the nature of the allegations against her.

“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,” the statement reads.

“Firstly, the decent & 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.”

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