Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has taken the rare step of suspending Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Betta Edu amid allegations of diverting over 585 million naira ($640,000; £500,000) of public funds into a personal bank account.
The move follows widespread public outcry over the scandal.
A statement from President Tinubu’s office announced an investigation into Dr. Edu’s ministry following the allegations.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Dr. Edu’s office confirmed approving the transfer into a non-personal account, citing it was designated for “implementation of grants to vulnerable groups.”
Dr. Edu, aged 37 and considered the youngest minister in President Tinubu’s cabinet and a close ally of the president, faces rare ministerial suspension in Nigeria.
She is the first to lose her job since President Tinubu assumed office in May last year.
Local media reported a leaked document allegedly showing Dr. Edu instructing a senior treasury official to transfer funds to the personal account of Bridget Oniyelu, the accountant for the government’s Grants for Vulnerable Groups initiative.
The reports sparked public outrage, prompting President Tinubu to call for an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the financial transactions involving the ministry.
President Tinubu emphasized the need for compliance with the investigation, urging reforms within government institutions managing National Social Investment Programs (NSIP).
He stressed the importance of regaining public trust, particularly in initiatives like the Grant for Vulnerable Groups aimed at addressing poverty.
Source-BBC
