These are not the best times for Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.
The minister seems to have fallen from grace as her permanent pass to the Presidential Villa has been withdrawn. This is as it has been confirmed that she will report at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Jabi, Abuja on Tuesday, January 9.
In a video seen by Daily Trust, Edu’s vehicle was seen leaving the State House in a black SUV after she was denied access to the president. Sources also told the newspaper that the minister’s pass has been withdrawn until further notice.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday suspended Edu over alleged N585m scandal.
Her suspension according to a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale on Monday, is in line with Tinubu’s “avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians”.
The President also directed the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.
“The suspended Minister is hereby directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and she is further directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation”, the statement read.
Monday evening, a reliable source at the anti-graft agency told newsmen, that the embattled minister was invited by the anti-graft agency in compliance with Tinubu’s order that a comprehensive investigation encompassing her activities in the ministry be carried out.
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