President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu over an alleged diversion of public funds into her personal account.
Consequently, the president has asked the former Commissioner for Health, Cross River State to step aside without delay.
The suspension was made known in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale on Monday.
“In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect.
“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 statement reads in part.
The statement also disclosed that the suspended minister has been directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Similarly, the president ordered Dr. Edu to fully cooperate with the authorities behind the investigation.
He further charged the panel that is headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to 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.
This, he said will eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households, thereby winning back lost public confidence in the initiative.
