Poverty Minister in Nigeria suspended over missing money

Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has taken decisive action by suspending the Poverty Minister Betta Edu over missing money.

The alleged money is said to have been diverted into a personal bank account. The Money in question is over 585 million naira ($640,000) of public funds.

The suspension follows widespread public outcry over the scandal, prompting President Tinubu to order an investigation into Dr. Edu’s ministry.

Betta Edu was the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under President Tinubu’s government.

However, at 37, Dr. Edu is the youngest minister in President Tinubu’s cabinet and is considered a close ally.

Betta Edu was the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu, has taken decisive action by suspending the Poverty Minister Betta Edu over missing money. Photo: Dr. Betta Edu/Financial Trust — Betta Edu was the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has taken decisive action by suspending the Poverty Minister Betta Edu over missing money. Photo: Dr. Betta Edu/Financial Trust

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Dr. Edu Leaked documents

This suspension is a rare occurrence in Nigeria, marking the first dismissal since President Tinubu assumed office in May last year.

Moreover, the move comes after leaked documents surfaced incriminating Dr. Edu.

The documents suggest that Dr. Edu instructed a senior treasury official to transfer the funds to the personal account of one Bridget Oniyelu.

Additionally, miss Oniyelu is the accountant for the government’s Grants for Vulnerable Groups initiative.

While the minister denies any wrongdoing, her office acknowledges approving the transfer into a non-personal account.

In her argument, she presented that the money transfer was for the “implementation of grants to vulnerable groups.”

Betta Edu was the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. The suspension of Dr. Edu is a rare occurrence in Nigeria, marking the first dismissal since President Tinubu assumed office in May last year. Photo: The Sun Nigeria.

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Public backlash

The controversy has sparked public anger, leading President Tinubu to call for a thorough investigation into the matter.

The investigation will be headed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into all financial transactions involving the Ministry of Poverty.

President Tinubu emphasized the importance of compliance with the investigation and called for a broader reform of government institutions.

Additionally, President Tinubu stressed the need to “win back lost public confidence” by ensuring transparency and accountability in such programs.

Thus his actions to suspend Dr. Edu underscores the gravity of the situation and signals a commitment to addressing corruption within the government.

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