- By Mansur Abubakar in Abuja & Wedaeli Chibelushi in London
- BBC Information
Picture supply, Getty Photographs
Dr Betta Edu is the youngest minister in President Bola Tinubu’s cupboard
Nigeria’s president has suspended a minister over the alleged diversion of greater than 585 million naira ($640,000; £500,000) of public cash into a private checking account.
Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Betta Edu was suspended on Monday following public outrage over the scandal.
A press release from President Bola Tinubu’s workplace stated he had ordered an investigation into Dr Edu’s ministry.
Dr Edu has denied any wrongdoing.
Her workplace stated she had authorised the switch into a private account, which was not in her title, however stated it was for the “implementation of grants to susceptible teams”.
Dr Edu, 37, is the youngest minister in President Tinubu’s cupboard and is seen as an in depth ally of the president.
The suspension of a minister is a uncommon incidence in Nigeria – Dr Edu is the primary to lose their job since President Tinubu took workplace in Might final yr.
His predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, sacked solely two ministers throughout his eight-year tenure.
Final week, native media reported on a leaked doc that allegedly confirmed Dr Edu instructing a senior treasury official to switch the cash to the private account of Bridget Oniyelu, the accountant for the federal government’s Grants for Susceptible Teams initiative.
Reviews that Dr Edu had requested for the funds be moved to a private account, somewhat than a authorities one, triggered outrage.
Mr Tinubu known as for an investigation into the switch on Sunday.
He requested the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) for a “thorough investigation into all elements of the monetary transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation,” stated an announcement launched on Monday.
Mr Tinubu requested Dr Edu to adjust to the investigation. The president additionally known as for the reform of presidency establishments tasked with social improvement, stressing a have to “win again misplaced public confidence within the initiative”.
Extra reporting by Chris Ewokor in Abuja