Minister Denied Access to President Tinubu Amidst Financial Scandal

Reports emerged on Monday suggesting that Dr. Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, was denied access to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

This comes as the Civil Society Organisation, Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative in Nigeria (CSCHEI), has praised President Tinubu for swiftly suspending the Minister and directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation.

President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the minister followed controversies surrounding financial transactions she authorized in her ministry. Allegations surfaced that she approved payments of about N585 million into the private accounts of civil servants responsible for managing grants for vulnerable Nigerians, sparking concerns about financial irregularities.

Upon her suspension, the minister visited the presidential villa in Abuja, apparently intending to discuss her situation with the president. However, despite passing security checks up to the president’s office, she was prevented from meeting him and had her access tag withdrawn by the president’s security. Furthermore, she was escorted out of the president’s office in a Toyota Hilux truck belonging to State House security. It remains unclear whether she was later allowed to use her official vehicle to leave the villa premises.

In response to the minister’s suspension, Kunle Yusuff, the Director General of CSCHEI, emphasized that Nigerian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) will not tolerate any abuse of power by government appointees. He stated that CSCHEI is committed to working with relevant agencies to ensure a thorough investigation into the allegations that led to the minister’s suspension. Yusuff also highlighted CSCHEI’s plans to provide training for NGOs and CBOs to enhance their capabilities in monitoring government initiatives and policies.

Vanguard News