President Tinubu Suspends Humanitarian Affairs Minister Amid Alleged N585 Million Scandal
President Tinubu Suspends Humanitarian Affairs Minister Amid Alleged N585 Million Scandal
By Matthew Eloyi
In response to public outcry over an alleged N585 million scandal, President Bola Tinubu has taken decisive action, suspending the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Betta Edu, with immediate effect.
This announcement was made by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement released on Monday.
The statement emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in managing the nation’s resources.
The suspension comes in the wake of reports suggesting a financial scandal within the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, prompting the President to order a comprehensive inquiry.
President Tinubu had directed the investigation on Sunday, vowing to take decisive action against anyone found involved in breaches and infractions uncovered during the inquiry. The move follows demands from various quarters, including political groups, rights organizations, and prominent figures like Femi Falana, SAN, for an unfettered probe into the alleged financial irregularities.
The controversy centres around a leaked memo by Minister Betta Edu, instructing the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585 million into the private bank account of a project accountant in her ministry, Bridget Oniyelu.
Numerous groups, including the Peoples Democratic Party, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, and the Yoruba Youth Assembly, have called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
Minister Edu, in her defence, asserted that the payment was intended for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states, categorizing the allegations against her as baseless. Her Media Assistant, Rasheed Olarenwaju, released a statement claiming the legality of such payments into private accounts within the civil service, particularly for project accountants.
As the nation awaits the outcome of the comprehensive inquiry ordered by President Tinubu, the suspension of Minister Betta Edu signals a commitment to accountability and a stern stance against corruption within the government. The unfolding events will likely prompt further discussions on transparency and ethical practices in managing public funds.
