President Bola Tinubu has acted decisively, swiftly announcing the immediate suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Betta Edu, over a brewing N585 million scandal.
This move follows widespread public outcry and demands for an investigation into the alleged financial mismanagement.
Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, conveyed the suspension in a statement, emphasizing Tinubu’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in managing Nigeria’s resources.
“In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect,” the statement partly reads.
Tinubu had, on Sunday, ordered a thorough inquiry into the alleged scandal within the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, vowing to take decisive action against those found responsible for any breaches or infractions uncovered during the investigations.
Numerous groups and individuals, including the Peoples Democratic Party, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Femi Falana, SAN, the Yoruba Youth Assembly, and other civil society organizations, had called for an unfettered probe into a leaked memo by Minister Betta Edu.
The memo instructed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585 million into the private bank account of a project accountant, Bridget Oniyelu.
Despite the minister’s claim that the payment aimed to support vulnerable groups in specific states, accusations persisted, prompting Tinubu’s swift response.
Edu defended the payment method, stating that it was legal within the civil service to deposit funds into the private accounts of staff, particularly project accountants.
