Tinubu finally suspends Humanitarian Minister, Betta Edu, directs EFCC probe

The Federal Government has suspended the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister, Betta Edu.

Also, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, has been directed to thoroughly investigate the minister regarding the movement of N585. 2 million into a private account.

A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) dated January 8, 2024, stated that the minister’s suspension was “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 said “these directives of the President take immediate effect.”