In a rapid turn of events, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to its headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, following a pronouncement of her suspension by President Bola Tinubu. The minister is implicated in an alleged N585 million scandal related to grants intended for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states.
The EFCC’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had reportedly recommended the minister’s suspension to President Tinubu, seeking a thorough investigation into the funds’ disbursement. The summons was promptly issued less than an hour after Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, conveyed the suspension announcement.
An insider from the EFCC confirmed the development, stating that the anti-graft agency was swift to act upon the President’s directive for a comprehensive investigation. The source revealed that the alleged payment of N585.189 million into a private account triggered the investigation, and the EFCC expects Minister Betta Edu to appear at their headquarters imminently.
This unfolding scenario adds another layer to the ongoing efforts to address corruption and financial misconduct within the government, as the EFCC pursues a rigorous inquiry into the suspected misappropriation of public funds.
