President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, from office pending the outcome of a thorough investigation into the alleged N585 million scandal within the ministry.
The suspension was made public through a statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday. Idris said the President was deeply concerned by the allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of office leveled against Edu and her staff.
According to the statement, the President has ordered the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, to conduct a full audit of the ministry’s accounts and transactions from January 2023 to date. He has also instructed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to collaborate with the Accountant-General in the investigation and to prosecute anyone found culpable of fraud or corruption.
The statement added that the President has vowed to impose severe sanctions on any individual or group involved in the scandal, regardless of their position or affiliation. He reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance policy for corruption and mismanagement of public funds.
The suspension of Edu comes amid growing public outcry over a leaked memo in which she requested the Accountant-General to transfer N585 million to the private bank account of a project accountant in the ministry, Bridget Oniyelu. Edu claimed the money was meant for the implementation of a social intervention program for vulnerable groups in four states.
However, the Accountant-General denied approving the payment, saying it violated the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy and the Financial Regulations Act. He also revealed that he had received several similar requests from Edu in the past, which he had rejected.
The memo sparked outrage among various stakeholders, including the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), human rights activists, civil society organizations, and the general public. They accused Edu of embezzlement, diversion of funds, and breach of trust. They also called for her immediate resignation or dismissal and prosecution.
Edu has not responded to the allegations or the suspension. Attempts to reach her or her media aide were futile. Sources within the ministry said she had gone into hiding since the memo was leaked.
The scandal has also exposed other irregularities in the ministry, such as the approval of funds for flight tickets and airport taxis for a trip to Kogi State, despite the fact that there is no airport in the state. An internal memo showed that Edu authorized these expenses, raising questions about the veracity and accountability of her travel claims.
The suspension of Edu is the latest in a series of scandals that have rocked the ministry since its creation in 2021. The ministry has been accused of mismanaging the distribution of palliatives, relief materials, and cash transfers to the poor and vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns.
The ministry has also faced criticism for its lack of transparency, coordination, and monitoring of its programs and activities. Many Nigerians have expressed dissatisfaction with the impact and effectiveness of the ministry’s interventions, saying they have not felt any improvement in their living conditions.
The President’s decision to suspend Edu and order a probe into the ministry is seen as a bold and decisive move to restore public confidence and trust in his government. It is also expected to serve as a deterrent to other public officials who may be tempted to abuse their office or misuse public funds.
The investigation is expected to be completed within two weeks,
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