Outrage as Minister Beta Edu Instructs Accountant General to Transfer N585M to Personal Account

Controversy Surrounds Minister Beta Edu as Leaked Letter Reveals N585 Million Directed to Personal Account

In a recent development, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Beta Edu, faces public scrutiny as a leaked letter dated December 20, 2023, reveals her directive to the Accountant General to disburse a substantial sum of N585,198,500.00 into a personal account. The funds were earmarked to alleviate poverty among vulnerable citizens in Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, Lagos, and Ogun states.

The leaked letter addressed to Ms. Madein stated, “I hereby approve the payment of the cumulative sum of N585,189,500. These are payments for programmes and activities of the Renewed Hope grant for Vulnerable Groups.” The designated account, a UBA account (2003682151), belongs to Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.

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This diversion of funds into a private account raises questions about Ms. Edu’s integrity, especially given her recent assumption of office just six months ago. Public sector financial regulations from 2009 explicitly prohibit the payment of public funds into private accounts, emphasizing the potential fraudulent intent of such actions.

The controversy deepens as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently suspended the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, Halima Shehu, under Edu’s jurisdiction, over alleged financial misappropriation. Shehu is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an alleged N44 billion fraud, leading to the freezing of N30 billion from NSIPA’s accounts.

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Reacting to the allegations, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Rasheed Zubair, defended the N585.198 million payment, asserting that it followed due process. He claimed that Oniyelu Bridget serves as the Project Accountant for Grants for Vulnerable Groups and justified the payment, stating it was legal in civil service for a staff member to be paid and utilize funds for project purposes.

The unfolding situation adds another layer of controversy to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, already marred by financial scandals. As investigations unfold, the public remains vigilant, seeking transparency and accountability in the administration of government funds.

Source:
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