Anti-Graft Agencies, EFCC, ICPC Must Reveal Outcome Of Suspended Minister, Betta Edu’s N585million Probe – CACOL

The Coalition for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has called on the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to tell Nigerians the outcome of their investigations into the case of Betta Edu, the suspended minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation.

The Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Betta Edu was suspended in January following public outrage over the scandal.

Dr Betta Edu, in a viral document personally signed by her and directed to the Office of the AGF, instructed the payment of the funds to one Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.

The document also showed that the payment of the N585.189 million grant, meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states, was made into Oniyelu’s account.

President Bola Tinubu called for an investigation into the transfer asking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a “thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Tinubu had asked Dr Edu to comply with the investigation. He also called for the reform of government institutions that run National Social Investments Programmes (NSIP) – initiatives like the Grant for Vulnerable Groups that aim to tackle poverty – stressing a need to “win back lost public confidence”.

In a release issued by CACOL’s Director of Administration and Programmes, Tola Oresanwo, on behalf of Mr. Debo Adeniran, the Chairman of the Centre, on Wednesday said, already, most people are of the notion that the case will be swept under the carpet especially as she is a very strong and prominent member of the ruling party.

The group called on the nation’s anti-graft agencies to tell the public the state of their investigation of Betta Edu.

The statement reads in part; “it was recently reported by some sections of the media that Edu sent condolences to the victims of the recent Jos building collapse in a message carrying the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation’s letterhead.”

“What is she insinuating with her action? Is she back to her desk as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation? If she is back, don’t we have the right to know? In as much as she has every right to condole with the families of those that lost their lives in the tragic incident, she ought to have done it in her personal capacity without involving the ministry since she is no more at the helms of affairs. The condolences, which ought to be met with sympathy, caused a stir on social media as the minister was still expected to be grilled by the anti-graft agency.”

“We at CACOL, therefore, call on the EFCC and ICPC to tell Nigerians the outcome of their investigations into her case. Already, most people are of the notion that the case will be swept under the carpet especially as she is a very strong and prominent member of the ruling party,” the statement added.