N585m scandal: President Tinubu suspends Betta Edu

President Bola Tinubu has immediately suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, amid an ongoing investigation into financial irregularities. The probe concerns the alleged diversion of N585.189 million intended for vulnerable individuals in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states into a private account.

The President, in a statement signed by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, emphasized Tinubu’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of public funds. Additionally, the President instructed the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

“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.”