Suspended Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister, Betta Edu, says her hands are clean, and she is committed to fighting corruption amid uproar on her illegal request to wire funds into a private account.
Ms. Edu made this statement in a Facebook post she addressed to N- Power beneficiaries.
“Dear N-Power Beneficiaries, I want to assure you all to remain calm and steadfast amidst the recent accusations and suspension I am facing. My heart and hands are clean, and I am committed to fighting corruption,” Ms. Edu said.
She added, “It’s essential to be aware that some individuals with impure intentions may use government machinery against you. Stay strong, and together, we will navigate through these challenges.”
Her comments came after President Bola Tinubu suspended her for requesting the Accountant-General of the federation wire N585 million into a private account, a fund meant for the public to alleviate poverty in some states.
Citing a leaked memo, a report revealed how Ms. Edu wrote the office of the Accountant-General, demanding that N585 million earmarked to reduce poverty of vulnerable citizens in Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, Lagos, and Ogun States be paid into the UBA account — 2003682151— of one Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.
Ms. Edu admitted authoring the memo requesting that N585 million be paid into a private account but claimed that the allegation came from forces against her.
The Accountant-General, Oluwatoyin Madein, has said Ms. Edu flouted financial regulations by requesting funds be wired into a private account.
“Mrs. Madein explained that although her Office received the said request from the ministry, it did not carry out the payment. The (humanitarian) ministry was, however, advised on the appropriate steps to take in making such payments in line with the established payment procedure.”
On Monday, the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) said Ms. Edu had been invited for investigation over her illegal request for N585 million for vulnerable people to be paid into a private account.
There have been several financial corruption investigations since President Bola Tinubu assumed power, resulting in the detention of prominent figures like the disgraced CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele and EFCC chair, Rasheed Bawa.
