President Bola Tinubu took action on Monday, suspending the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu, in response to public outcry over an alleged misappropriation of N585 million. The suspension was disclosed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, emphasizing Tinubu’s commitment to upholding integrity and accountability in managing Nigeria’s resources.
Tinubu’s directive for a thorough inquiry into the scandal within the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation preceded this move. The President expressed a firm determination to penalize any individuals found culpable during the investigations.
Various groups and figures, including the Peoples Democratic Party, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Femi Falana, SAN, the Yoruba Youth Assembly, and other civil society organizations, called for an impartial investigation into the leaked memo involving Minister Betta Edu. The memo allegedly instructed the Accountant-General of the Federation to transfer N585 million into the private bank account of a ministry project accountant, Bridget Oniyelu.
Minister Betta Edu defended the payment, stating it was destined for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states. She dismissed the allegations against her as groundless, supported by her Media Assistant, Rasheed Olarenwaju, who stated that such payments into private accounts of staff members, particularly project accountants, were permissible within the civil service.
