In a significant development, President Bola Tinubu has taken swift action by suspending the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, following allegations of her involvement in approving a substantial sum of N585,198,500.00 to be transferred to a personal account. The controversy surrounds a letter allegedly signed by Edu, instructing the Accountant General of the Federation to disburse the funds to an individual’s account under the guise of grants for vulnerable groups in four states.
The suspended minister vehemently denied any wrongdoing, attributing the situation to a plot aimed at tarnishing her image. However, calls for her suspension intensified, with human rights activist Femi Falana urging Edu’s resignation, labeling the entire incident as an “extremely embarrassing drama.”
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend Edu comes after the Federal Government acknowledged public outrage and ordered a thorough probe into the ministry’s financial transactions. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been directed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
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Edu, at 37, was the youngest member of the President’s cabinet and held a prominent political position before her suspension. Prior to her ministerial appointment in August, she served as the National Women Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and previously as the Cross River State Commissioner for Health.
The President has instructed the suspended minister to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and fully cooperate with the investigating authorities during the probe. Additionally, a panel, led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, has been tasked with conducting a thorough diagnostic on the financial architecture of the social investment programs. The aim is to reform relevant institutions and programs to eliminate institutional frailties, restoring public confidence in the initiative.
This development adds another layer of scrutiny to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, following the ongoing EFCC investigation into Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Farouq, over alleged money laundering during her tenure as a minister. The unfolding events underscore the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in public office.
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