President Bola Tinubu suspended the minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, with immediate effect amidst an embezzlement allegation of N585 million.
This was disclosed in a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President of Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Monday.
The statement read, “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.
He further directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to thoroughly investigate all financial transactions made in the ministry and its agencies.
Who is Betta Edu?
- Biography and Education
Betta Edu is 37 years old and hails from Abi Local Government Area in Cross River State, Southsouth Nigeria.
She completed her medical degree at the University of Calabar and proceeded to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to earn a Master’s Degree in Public Health.
The minister earned a PhD in Public Health from Texila American University, United States.
- Political career
In 2015, she was appointed special adviser to the Cross River State government on Community and Primary Healthcare, making her the youngest S.A.
Betta Edu spearheaded the state’s COVID-19 in 2020 and was later appointed the National Chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum.
She was appointed health commissioner in 2019 and served till 2022 before joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Betta Edu later became the youngest National Women Leader of the party and was well-known for her journey in the health sector, commitment to public health, and poverty alleviation.
In 2023, President Tinubu appointed her Minister of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, making her the youngest serving minister in the administration.
- Embezzlement allegation
Last December, a memo addressed to the Accountant General of the Federation, requesting the disbursement of N585 million budgeted for Grants for Vulnerable Groups to a personal account was leaked.
Although Betta Edu did not deny requesting the transaction to the account of Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, she claimed it was due process because the intending recipient also serves as Project Accountant for Grants for Vulnerable Groups
According to Chapter 7, Section 713 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009, “Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private account.”
The president in the wake of the latest happening, instructed a thorough probe of the ministry and suspended Betta Edu with an order to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
She has also been directed to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.”