N585m scandal: Sack Betta Edu, save Nigeria’s democracy – Adeyanju to Tinubu

Deji Adeyanju, a prominent human rights activist, has urged President Bola Tinubu to dismiss the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, if proven guilty of financial misappropriation. In a signed statement, Adeyanju called for a transparent and independent investigation into the scandal.

Edu faced severe criticism after a memo surfaced, revealing her directive to the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585.2 million to a private account owned by Oniyelu Bridget, purportedly the Project Accountant for Grants for Vulnerable Groups according to the Ministry.

While Edu insisted that the payment adhered to due process, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, held a contrary opinion. In response, Adeyanju, the convener of Concerned Nigerians, praised the Accountant-General of the Federation for her resolute refusal to comply with Edu’s request.

He said: “This action by the Accountant-General is in line with Chapter Seven, Section 713 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009, which clearly states that personal money shall not be paid into a government bank account, nor should any public money be paid into a private account.

“I applaud the Accountant-General for her unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of accountability and transparency in the management of public finances.

“Her refusal to comply with the improper and illegal request by the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs demonstrates her integrity and dedication to the rule of law. By adhering to the Financial Regulations, she has set a commendable example for other public officials to follow.

“In light of these developments, I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action against the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.

“The request made by the Minister to transfer such a substantial amount into an individual’s private account is a flagrant violation of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations. It raises serious concerns about the misuse of public funds and suggests a breach of trust by a high-ranking government official.”

“This step is crucial to maintaining public confidence in the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring the prudent management of public resources.”