BREAKING: Tinubu Suspends Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu, Intensifies Investigation Over N585.189 Scandal

President Bola Tinubu has suspended Dr. Betta Edu from the position of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, effective immediately.

VerseNews reports that about N585.189 million meant for the vulnerable persons in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states was reportedly diverted into a private account.

In a document signed by Edu and directed to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the minister directed the disbursement of N585.189 million into one Bridget Mojisola Oniyelu’s private account.

The Presidency had assured that the appropriate authorities are investigating the financial irregularity involving the transfer of N585.189 million into a private account by the minister.

However, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Medua and Publicity in a statement his signed personally disclosed that the minister has been suspended.

The suspension is in line with the President’s commitment to upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability in managing public funds.

“The suspended Minister is hereby directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and she is further directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation,” the statement added.

“Furthermore, the President has tasked a panel that is headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to, among other functions, conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes with a view to conclusively reforming the relevant institutions and programmes in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence in the initiative.

“These directives of the President take immediate effect.”

A thorough investigation into financial transactions involving the ministry and its agencies has been directed by the President, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) instructed to lead the inquiry.

The suspended Minister is to cooperate fully, and a panel, led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, will conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture of social investment programs.