President Bola Tinubu took decisive action on Monday by temporarily relieving Dr. Betta Edu of her duties as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. This move comes in response to mounting public outcry over an alleged scandal involving the misappropriation of N585 million.
Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Tinubu, conveyed the decision in a statement to the press. The President's commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in managing the nation's resources was cited as the reason behind Edu's suspension.
The PUNCH reported that Tinubu, on the preceding Sunday, ordered a thorough investigation into the purported N585 million scandal within the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. The President vowed to take decisive action against anyone found guilty of wrongdoing during the inquiry.
Various groups, including the Peoples Democratic Party, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Femi Falana, SAN, the Yoruba Youth Assembly, and other civil society organizations, have called for an unbiased investigation into a leaked memo allegedly written by Minister Edu. The memo purportedly instructed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585 million to the private bank account of a project accountant, Bridget Oniyelu.
In response to the allegations, Minister Edu defended the transaction, asserting that the funds were intended for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states. Her Media Assistant, Rasheed Olarenwaju, emphasized that such payments into private accounts of staff members, particularly project accountants, were legally permissible within the civil service.
President Tinubu's suspension of Minister Edu reflects his administration's commitment to a thorough and fair investigation into the matter, ensuring accountability and maintaining the trust of the Nigerian people in the government's actions.
In a proactive response to the alleged financial improprieties within the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, President Bola Tinubu has issued a series of directives to address the situation and restore public trust.
The President has instructed the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch a comprehensive investigation into all financial transactions related to the ministry and its associated agencies. This move is part of President Tinubu's commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in government operations.
As a part of the suspension process, the President has directed the suspended Minister, Dr. Betta Edu, to hand over her duties to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Additionally, she is urged to fully cooperate with the investigative authorities during their inquiry.
President Tinubu has gone a step further by establishing a panel, led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, tasked with conducting a thorough diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programs. The aim is to implement comprehensive reforms that eliminate any institutional weaknesses, ensuring the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households. This initiative is designed to regain the trust of the public in the social investment programs.
All these directives are effective immediately, showcasing the President's commitment to swift and decisive action in addressing the alleged financial irregularities, promoting accountability, and safeguarding the integrity of government initiatives.
