The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, yesterday entered Aso Rock as a dignatory but whisked away as a suspect over allegations of financial illegalities.
Edu was in Aso Rock to see President Tinubu. But while she was still waiting, her suspension was announced; her official car and access card withdrawn. She was thereafter, whisked away in a security vehicle.
The President further 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 directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. 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 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.
In a press statement, these directives of the President take immediate effect. According to the statement, the action is in line with the President avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians.
