The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation’s ongoing financial scandal has taken a new turn when it was alleged that Minister Edu Betta transferred a sizeable amount of N585,198,500.00 into a personal account. CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
A paper purportedly signed by Edu and addressed to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation indicates instructions for the payment to a person going by the name of Oniyelu Bridget, according to a Daily Post article.
According to the document, the N585.198 million grant, designated for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states, was transferred to Oniyelu’s account.
In response, the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Rasheed Zubair, defended the transaction, asserting that the payment adhered to due process.
Zubair explained, “For the avoidance, the said N585m was approved, and it is meant to implement grants to vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states.”
He further clarified the role of Oniyelu Bridget, stating, “Oniyelu Bridget is the Project Accountant for GVG from the Department of Finance, and it is legal in civil service for a staff, the project accountant, to be paid and use the same funds legally and retire the same with all receipts and evidence after the project or programme is completed.”
The revelation sparked public outrage on social media, with many questioning why such a substantial amount of public funds would be directed to an individual’s account.
Public sector financial regulations from 2009, as cited in Section 713, explicitly prohibit the transfer of public money into private accounts, deeming it a fraudulent act.
Commenting on the controversy, one social media user remarked, “This raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. We need a thorough investigation into these financial transactions.”
Another user added, “The public deserves clarity on how taxpayer money is being managed and distributed. This situation raises red flags that demand immediate attention.”
This controversy unfolds against the backdrop of recent developments in the National Social Investment Programme Agency, an agency under Edu Betta’s purview.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended the National Coordinator, Halima Shehu, amid allegations of financial misappropriation.
Halima Shehu is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an alleged N44 billion fraud. As a result of the probe, EFCC froze N30 billion moved from NSIPA’s accounts.
Former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq was also summoned by the EFCC in connection with a financial scandal involving contractor James Okwete. The situation further intensifies concerns about financial management within the ministry and its affiliated agencies. CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
