By Sogeyinbo Abdulrahmon Olabanji (SIWES student, Gate Way ICT Polytechnic)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) interrogated the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, for hours regarding the alleged payment of N585 million into a private account.
Her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, was also questioned over a N37 billion fraud in the ministry. No bank chiefs were arrested or detained during the commission’s inquiry.
The former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s team emphasized that merely suspending the minister was insufficient and cautioned against exploiting growing poverty.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) defended President Bola Tinubu’s swift suspension of the minister, while the EFCC investigated the Accountant-General of the Federation’s role.
Edu, who denies breaching financial rules, was suspended amidst controversy over funds transferred to a private account for vulnerable groups.
The scandal involves other officials, including Sadiya Umar-Farouq and Halima Shehu, prompting calls for broader reforms in the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry.
Atiku’s team accused the APC of weaponizing poverty and corruption in government interventions. The APC justified Tinubu’s quick response, emphasizing the president’s appropriate and timely action in the matter.
