Alleged N585m Scandal: EFCC Invites Betta Edu For Questioning

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to its headquarters located in Jabi area of the Federal Capital Territory.

The invitation came less than 30 minutes the President, Bola Tinubu announced Edu’s immediate suspension from office and after she was denied access to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Edu came under criticism after a leaked memo on December 20, 2023 revealed that she directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585m to a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, who the ministry claimed currently serves as the Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups.

But OAGF, in a statement on Saturday denied honoring request to pay N585 million into a private account as directed by the Humanitarian Minister.

The OAGF said it was legal within the civil service for such payments to be made into private accounts of staff, especially project accountants. The OAGF however, said it does not make payments.

Not long after the President ordered her suspension, a source within the EFCC, confirmed Edu’s invitation to EFCC heardquaters.

The source further revealed that the anti-graft agency’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, recommended the suspension of the Minister to the President to pave the way for proper investigation.

The source further noted that the commission swung into action immediately after the President ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged payment of N585.189 million grant meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states into a private account.

“We have invited the suspended Minister, Betta Edu. The invitation letter was sent to her immediately after her suspension was announced by the President. We’re are expecting her at the headquarters any moment from now,” the source noted.