- Tinubu Orders Thorough, Comprehensive Investigation To Ascertain The Accuracy, Validity Of Scandal
- Falana Tells 37-Year Old Minister To Resign For Betraying Nigerians
- SERAP Seeks Timely Prosecution Of Those Involved In Scandal
The ongoing N585m scandal rocking the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is generating fresh controversy and has gotten the attention of the Presidency.
The Matrix had reported that controversy had enveloped the Ministry headed by Betta Edu’s alleged involvement in the approval of N585,198,500.00 to be disbursed into a personal account.
READ ALSO: Edu: SERAP Asks Tinubu To Probe Payment Of N585m Grant To Private Account
In a letter allegedly signed by the humanitarian minister, she allegedly instructed the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer the sum to the account of one Oniyelu Bridget as grant for vulnerable groups in four states.
However, Madein explained that although her office received a request from the humanitarian ministry to make certain payments, her office did not act on it.
Edu, 37, the youngest minister in the President’s cabinet, subsequently said there were plans to tarnish her image, adding that she won’t embezzle government funds.
This development is coming on the heels of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ongoing probe of Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Farouq, over alleged laundering of N37.1 billion during her tenure as a minister under the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
READ ALSO: N585m scandal: Sack Betta Edu – Kperogi tells Tinubu
Reacting, President Bola Tinubu has ordered a thorough probe of the scandal.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in a statement on Sunday.
In a statement on Sunday, the information minister acknowledged the uproar over the development in the humanitarian ministry under Edu, saying that the “government is determined to unravel the truth”.
Idris said, “In light of recent events, the President has directed that a thorough and comprehensive investigation be conducted to ascertain the accuracy and validity of the reported details.
“The government is determined to unravel the truth as it relates to this matter, and assures that appropriate action will be taken to ensure that any breaches and infractions are identified and decisively punished, in line with the Administration’s commitment to public accountability and due process.”
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The information minister said Nigerians would be informed on the progress of the investigation.
“We urge Nigerians to exercise patience as the investigation unfolds. The government is focused on ensuring a fair and unbiased process, and the findings will be communicated duly and transparently to the public,” he said.
Meanwhile, Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has called on the Edu, to resign for “betraying the confidence reposed in her”.
Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in a statement on Sunday, urged the EFCC to speed up the ongoing investigation of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and charge all indicted persons to court.
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The senior lawyer described as an “extremely embarrassing drama”, the circumstances surrounding Edu’s alleged involvement in the approval of N585,198,500.00 to be disbursed into a personal account.
Falana said the minister should stop insulting Nigerians, adding that she failed to deny that she gave approval for the funds to be paid to a private account instead of direct transfer to the beneficiaries’ accounts from the ministry’s.
He said, “It is interesting to note that the minister has not denied that she gave approval for the payment of the over half a billion Naira to a private account in contravention of the extant Public Service Rules as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Act and the Penal Code applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.
“Instead of apologising to the Federal Government and people of Nigeria and calling it quits for betraying the confidence reposed in her, the Minister has arrogantly said that the N585.18 million fraud allegation is a mere fabrication by her detractors and an alleged attempt by mischief makers to undermine her ministry’s effort in fighting corruption and uplifting the needy.
“However, notwithstanding that the Accountant-General of the Federation has successfully frustrated the criminal diversion of the said sum of N585.18 million from public treasury, it is crystal clear from the leaked memorandum of the Minister that the offence of an attempt to commit a felony has already been completed.
“There can be no legal justification for the criminal diversion of the said sum of N585.18 million for disbursement to vulnerable people in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos and Ogun States since the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has collated the individual bank accounts of all the vulnerable people.”
Earlier, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had asked President Tinubu to probe the alleged scandal.
SERAP specifically asked the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to “promptly and thoroughly probe the alleged payment by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu of N585.2 million meant for disbursement to vulnerable people in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun states into a private account.”
SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare wants Tinubu “to direct Mr Fagbemi and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly and thoroughly investigate whether the N585.2 million has been paid into any private account, and to identify and publish the names of anyone who may have received the money.”
“Anyone suspected to be involved in any improper payment or diversion of public funds should be brought to justice and any diverted public funds returned to the public treasury and paid directly to the rightful beneficiaries,” the statement read.
“Paying public funds into private accounts may create the perception or appearance of impropriety and give cover to any potential wrongdoing or diversion.
“Investigating these allegations and ensuring that the public funds meant to take care of the poor are transparently and accountably spent and recovering any diverted public funds are serious and legitimate public interests.”
