• Denied access to Tinubu, Aso Rock tag withdrawn • EFCC begins grilling today
By Chinelo Obogo, Fred Itua, Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye and Okwe Obi, Abuja
Barely an hour after she was suspended as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Beta Edu, yesterday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was yesterday, barred from seeing President Bola Tinubu at the Villa.
The suspended minister, who arrived Aso Rock, shortly after her suspension over alleged misappropriation of funds was announced with the intention of meeting with President Tinubu, was prevented from doing so.
She had scaled through all security checks up to the president’s office before she was blocked from seeing him in his office.
Edu, who was seen walking out of the president’s office with some of the president’s aides and security personnel and protocol officials escorting her out, appeared sober.
Sources disclosed that apart from being unable to have an audience with President Tinubu, her access tag to the Villa was immediately withdrawn from her by the president’s security.
Edu, who had arrived at the Villa in an official car, was whisked out in a Toyota Hilux truck belonging to State House security.
It was not immediately clear whether she was later allowed to use her official vehicle out of the presidential villa premises.
Meanwhile, she has been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning.
A source at the EFCC confirmed last night that she had been summoned and would be at the commission’s office today. The invitation was sent to her less than 30 minutes after news of her suspension was made public.
According to the source, the EFCC had earlier recommended her suspension to pave the way for thorough investigation. The source said the minister’s suspension would give the commission the liberty to do its job thoroughly as directed by the president.
Though spokesman for the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, did not respond to a series of calls, sources in the EFCC said Edu is expected to face a team of interrogators today.
“An official invitation by the commission has already been sent to her. We expect her to honour the invitation and come to the commission on Tuesday to give proper insight into the issue at hand.”
President Bola Tinubu had relieved her of her duties with immediate effect over the transfer of N585.2 million from public account into a private account of an official in her ministry, Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.
Edu had admitted approving the December 20, 2023 memo which showed that she requested the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer public funds – N585.2 million – into a private account of an official in her ministry.
The transfer contravenes various sections of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009, which are meant to prevent fraud and other forms of corruption.
She had admitted further that the fund transferred from the National Social Investment Office account was meant for disbursement to vulnerable people in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun states, under the Federal Government’s poverty intervention project called Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
She explained that Oniyelu, whose private account with the United Bank of Africa the N585.2 million was paid into, is the project accountant.
On Monday, Daily Sun also reported how she approved funds in November 2023 for flight tickets and airport taxis for members of her team to travel from Abuja to Kogi, a state which has no functional airport.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the suspension is in line with President 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 directed the anti-graft Commission 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.
He ordered Edu to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.
President Tinubu also 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.
Mixed reactions
Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma said President Tinubu’s suspension of the minister cannot be questioned.
He stated this when asked for his reaction by State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, especially coming after governors had at their first National Executive Council under this administration, raised concerns over the national register of the country.
“Well, like, you know, this is very clear. Whether progressive governor forum or whether as governor of Imo State, we have only one president whose wisdom we cannot question. And what is more, if there are allegations and the President said I want to look into it, I think it’s consistent with the law and the oath of office he swore to. So, I don’t think it is something that will begin to create a menu now for the media. so I think let’s allow the sleeping dog to lie.”
IPAC, HURIWA hail
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the Human Right Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) commended President Tinubu.
IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, said: “The president has seen that it is a dent to the system and he is just coming on board. So, if you were in his shoes, you would do the same thing. Like one of the accusations that flew to Kogi and you and I know that Kogi State has no airport. I think that it is fair that the president took the action for proper investigation.”
Also, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, said: “It is the right decision to allow for unfettered investigation. She has to submit herself to the EFCC to clear herself of allegations of authorising payment of public funds into a private bank account, if indeed this was done.
“If the payment as alleged was made even after the Accountant-General of the Federation had refused her request in a memo to the AG-Federation, then the only option left is to prosecute her and every penny made as payment as alleged should be recovered.
“This is a great lesson for the president to be very thorough before he makes appointments, so he puts square pegs in square holes.
“Appointments into public offices should be merit based and also against the backdrops of competencies and sincerity of purpose.
“Those elevated to serve must never mistake such elevations as opportunities to line their pockets with filthy lucre. So, let there be a transparent and unhindered investigation of the minister.”
Sani, Winners Chapel worshippers, others react
Reacting to the development, Senator Shehu Sani said: “This president has listened to the public and acted against his Minister, while a journalist, Juliana Olayinka said, “I am completely shocked to hear news of Betta Edu’s suspension from office just a few days into the New Yr. I have interviewed her twice and both times she appeared sincere and competent. Even if she is able to defend these allegations will she be able to regain public trust?”
Another journalist, Deborah Tolu, said, “Betta Edu was once the chairperson of the Commissioners of Health Forum. She denied the existence of COVID-19 but didn’t reject the COVID-19 funds. Peak fooling of 2020 and 2024” while another X user, Odogwu Ogbete, said: “Here’s the good (or bad, depending on which side you belong) news: the worst is over for Betta Edu. Any other action of the government regarding her matter is just perfunctory; to buy time till it blows over. It’s damage control mode going forward otherwise more heads will roll” and Kawu Garba, said, “In the same way, former minister Sadiya Farouk was detained by EFCC today, Betta Edu should also be detained with her make-up. Nobody should give her water to clean it up.”
Theo Abu said, “APC supporters have no rights to commend President Bola Tinubu for suspending the embattled Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu. They defended her actions while we were calling for her suspension”, Omotayo Williams said, “Betta Edu is 37 years old. A big disgrace to the youths calling for an inclusive government that involves the youths,” while another user, Debola said, “Almost as if Betta Edu’s corruption resumé wasn’t all over the place before her appointment. It’s the opposition noise that brought her suspension, nothing else. They are trying to cool things down, thereafter, waiting for the noise to fade away. Nothing will come out from the suspension,” and Oji Ugo said, “Betta Edu got suspended but Mahmood Yakubu is still the INEC chairman.”
Reacting to a resurfaced video where the now suspended minister was seen narrating how the founder of Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo prayed for her to become a minister, an X user who attends the church, Adeola Fayehun, said: “Extremely disappointed in this aunty! Next time Papa wants to pray for someone, he should ask questions. “Why do you want to be a minister? Is it to steal money or to alleviate poverty? Because if you’re going there to steal you’ll never get there,” while another church member, Omoamilor Vincent, responded, saying: “Well, it was a prayer request, which Papa interceded and it was granted. But what she did with God’s gift was up to her, and the consequences are part of what happened today. We saw even anointed Kings how they derailed in the bible. God is still God who doesn’t change.”