President Bola Tinubu has ordered the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu from office following the financial transactions she authorised in her ministry.
The suspension was disclosed by the in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
He said it was in line with Tinubu’s avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians.
“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 to conclusively reform 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.” public confidence in the initiative.
“These directives of the President take immediate effect.”, the statement reads.
Edo was accused of financial infractions bordering on the approval of payments of about N585 million into the private accounts of civil servants, who are said to be the accountants in charge of grants for vulnerable Nigerians.
Reacting to the suspension of Edu, the Director General of CSCHEI, Kunle Yusuff, stated that Civil Society Organisations(CSOs) in Nigeria will not accept any administrative rascality or abuse of power by any appointees of the President.
“Many Non- Governmental Organizations and Community Based Organisations have been vigorously developing various working concepts to align with Mr. President Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This is one of the reasons CSCHEI has set up a working template to evaluate and monitor 2024 budgets as approved by the President. Suspending the Hon. Minister of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviations is a strong warning to all government officials.
“CSCHEI will definitely work with relevant agencies to make sure that investigations into the allegation that led to her suspension are logically concluded. It’s not only embarrassing but ridiculous hearing such financial administrative infractions.
“Seriously speaking, we have seen a President travelling around the globe marketing Nigeria Investment programmes. Hopefully, this may further increase Nigeria investment indexes. This is not the time for any government officials to be indulged in financial misconduct that may negate the integrity of this administration,” the group said.
CSCHEI, he informed has already concluded plans to roll out training for NGOs and CBOs on “intelligence gathering, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation, the reporting system, government policy’s initiatives, radicalisation, and extremism.
“These are the means to strengthen the Civil Society Organisation in Nigeria to be proactive, strategic, and tactical in its daily responsibilities.”
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