The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted bail to Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, after interrogating her over the approval of a N585 million payment from the ministry’s funds into a private account belonging to a civil servant. President Bola Tinubu had suspended Edu from office and instructed the EFCC to investigate the matter following public outcry.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed Edu’s release on bail, refraining from providing details about the conditions. He emphasized that the investigation is ongoing.
The EFCC began questioning Edu on Tuesday morning, as she responded to an official invitation sent to her the previous day. Meanwhile, her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, who is under investigation for alleged N37.1 billion financial misconduct during her tenure, also returned for questioning after being released on bail.
Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, is also undergoing investigation at the EFCC in connection with the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Edu has faced criticism for authorizing the transfer of N585.2 million into the private account of a civil servant responsible for managing grants for Vulnerable Nigerians. This action was revealed shortly after Edu suspended Shehu for alleged financial impropriety. The leaked memo detailing the transfer raised concerns as it violated Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009, which prohibits the deposit of public funds into private accounts.
Despite defending her actions as legal within the civil service, Edu’s transfer request contradicts the Financial Regulations, which deems such actions fraudulent. The Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, distanced herself from the controversy, stating that her agency had advised the ministry on proper transfer procedures.
President Tinubu’s suspension of Edu reflects his commitment to upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability in governance. He has also established a panel, led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, to conduct a comprehensive review of the financial framework of social investment programs.
Premium Times