Alleged N585m Diversion: President Tinubu Suspends Minister Of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu From Office

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, January 8, 2024 approved the immediate suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect.

A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said that the development was in line with the avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians by the President.

Accordingly, the President directed 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 was therefore directed by President Tinubu to hand over to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry and also directed 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.

He said that this was 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 further stated that the directives of the President are with immediate effect.