President Bola Tinubu has ordered the suspension of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu to pave way for an investigation into allegations against her.
In a Monday statement signed by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the president said the decision was with immediate effect.
Edu has been battling allegations of misappropriation of funds to the tune of N44 billion, including N585 million she asked to be deposited into a private individual’s account against public service rules.
She has denied any wrongdoing, blaming her detractors for launching a campaign of calumny against her.
“In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect.
“The President further directs 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 Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.
“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.
“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,” the statement read.