Gom Mirian, Juliet Jacob Ochenje
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, is facing backlash over an alleged instruction to transfer N585 million to an individual’s bank account.
The instruction of payment was contained in a leaked letter, dated December 20, 2023. In the letter, Edu instructed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, to transfer the funds to the UBA account of Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, contravening Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009.
Reacting in a statement, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called for an investigation into the alleged payment.
SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare who signed the statement made available to African Health Report, (AHR) on Sunday also urged President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and anti-corruption agencies to thoroughly probe the matter.
“Anyone suspected to be involved in any improper payment or diversion of public funds should be brought to justice and any diverted public funds returned to the public treasury and paid directly to the rightful beneficiaries.
“Paying public funds into private accounts may create the perception or appearance of impropriety and give cover to any potential wrongdoing or diversion,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) have demanded the minister’s dismissal, accusing her of money laundering.
However, Edu has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the payment followed due process and emphasising integrity and accountability in her ministry.
She stated, “Integrity and accountability are our watchwords! Under my watch in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, no one will embezzle Government funds as before,” Edu said. “The plans to tarnish the image of this administration, my person or the Ministry will amount to nothing.”
The allegations have raised concerns about the government intervention program, with the previous minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, also under investigation for alleged fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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