Tinubu orders N2tn poverty relief funds probe, Edu faces EFCC today

President Bola Tinubu has initiated a big move against financial irregularities in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. On Monday, a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, announced that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been directed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the ministry’s financial dealings.

The statement, titled ‘President Tinubu suspends Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation from office,’ also disclosed the immediate suspension of the current Minister, Betta Edu. Edu’s suspension is linked to a scandal involving N585 million within the ministry.JAMB Result

This development coincides with the interrogation of Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, by the EFCC. Umar-Farouq faced a 12-hour grilling session regarding a separate probe into N37.1 billion allegedly laundered during her tenure, reportedly through contractor James Okwete.JAMB Portal

Budget Office data reveals that the ministry, previously known as Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, had a budget of N2.38 trillion from 2020 to 2024. In line with President Tinubu’s directive, the EFCC has also summoned Edu to appear for questioning.NYSC Portal

The presidential statement further mandates EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to thoroughly investigate all financial transactions of the ministry and its agencies. Additionally, President Tinubu has appointed a panel led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun. This panel is tasked with conducting an exhaustive diagnostic of the financial systems and frameworks of the social investment programs, with an aim to reform these institutions. The goal is to address any weaknesses and restore public trust in these initiatives, which are designed to aid disadvantaged households.

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The statement read, “In line with his avowed commitment to upholding 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.InformationGuideNigeria

“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 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.’’

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