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Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Fired by President Tinubu Over Alleged Misappropriation of N585 Million in Palliative Funds
President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, following allegations of misappropriation involving N585 million in palliative funds. The suspension comes in response to a leaked memo directing the transfer of the said funds to a private account.
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Edu faced public criticism for the leaked memo, which also revealed the approval of funds for flight tickets and airport taxis for ministry staff traveling to Kogi, a state without an airport.
The Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, denies carrying out Edu’s request, stating that bulk money should not be transferred to an individual’s account in the name of a Project Accountant.
In a statement, President Tinubu directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transaction involving Edu’s ministry.
The President emphasized his commitment to upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s commonwealth.
The suspended minister is instructed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and fully cooperate with investigating authorities.
Additionally, a panel headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance is tasked with conducting a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture of social investment programs, aiming to eliminate institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households.
The directive takes immediate effect, reflecting the President’s determination to address financial irregularities and restore public confidence in social investment initiatives.
