President Bola Tinubu has given the marching orders to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu following the N585m transfer scandal that has hit her office.
Presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale said Monday in a statement that the suspension is 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 suspended Minister is hereby directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and she is further directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.
“Furthermore, the President has 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.
Ms Betta Edu was accused of requesting the transferring the N585m meant for palliatives to some States to a private bank. Her letter to the Accountant General of the Federation, to effect the transfer was leaked to the public.
