PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has directed a thorough investigation of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, which is run by Betta Edu.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed this in a statement today.
Edu’s suspected role in the approval of N585,198,500.00 to be disbursed into a personal account has sparked controversy.
In a letter reportedly signed by the humanitarian minister, she allegedly authorized the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer the cash to one Oniyelu Bridget’s account as a grant for vulnerable groups in four states.
Madein, on the other hand, indicated that while her office got a request from the humanitarian ministry to make specific payments, it did not act on it.
Edu, the youngest minister in the President’s cabinet, later stated that there were plans to ruin her image, emphasizing that she would not squander government cash.
In addition, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently investigating Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Farouq, for alleged N37.1 billion laundering during her stint as a minister during ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The communications minister addressed the controversy about the development in the humanitarian ministry under Edu in a statement today, stating that the “government is determined to unravel the truth.”
Idris said, “In light of recent events, the President has directed that a thorough and comprehensive investigation be conducted to ascertain the accuracy and validity of the reported details.
“The government is determined to unravel the truth as it relates to this matter, and assures that appropriate action will be taken to ensure that any breaches and infractions are identified and decisively punished, in line with the Administration’s commitment to public accountability and due process.”
The information minister said Nigerians would be informed of the progress of the investigation.
“We urge Nigerians to exercise patience as the investigation unfolds. The government is focused on ensuring a fair and unbiased process, and the findings will be communicated duly and transparently to the public,” he said.
