Edu greets Tinubu amid probe over alleged financial misconduct

The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, on Friday wished President Bola Tinubu a happy 72nd birthday amid allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of office.

Edu extended her birthday wishes to Tinubu on X, praising the president’s visionary leadership and its positive impact on the nation.

https://x.com/edu_betta/status/1773622842233340082?s=31

This gesture comes after Tinubu suspended Edu from her ministerial position and directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate allegations of financial misconduct on the issue.

Since her suspension, Edu had maintained a low profile on social media platforms.

The scandal, as reported by The Guardian, involves the approval of the transfer of N585.2 million into the private bank account of a civil servant.

The alleged civil servant is the accountant in charge of grants for vulnerable Nigerians.

Leaked documents revealed that Edu requested the transfer of funds from the National Social Investment Office’s account to the private bank account of Bridget Oniyelu, an accountant overseeing a federal government poverty intervention project under Edu’s ministry.

The minister said the payment instructions followed due process, even though the accountant-general of the federation said she did not carry out the minister’s request because no bulk money “is supposed to be made to an individual’s account in the name of Project Accountant”.

Edu also approved the payment of flight fare for staff to Kogi, even though the north-central state has no airport.