Pressure Mounts On Tinubu’s Minister Over N585 Found In Private Account
Pressure is currently mounting on one of President Bola Tinubu’s Ministers, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu over N585.198 million found in a private account.
This development emerged in the wake of the ongoing alleged N37.1 Billion fraud case against her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, who served as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, Edu has maintained that the payment of N585.198 million for the vulnerable group strictly followed proper due process.
In response to the circulating document indicating the alleged disbursement of funds to a personal account, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the minister, Rasheed Zubair, clarified the situation. Zubair stated, “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.”
Zubair elaborated further, explaining that the disbursement was intended for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states. He stated, “We must note that GVG was first launched in Kogi State, where recipients testified. Akwa Ibom and Cross River were launched in December 2023. Kogi already happened in November, and others will be launched in the coming weeks.”
He addressed the specific disbursement to Oniyelu Bridget, stating,
“The general public is invited to note that the Renewed Hope Grant for Vulnerable Groups is one of the social intervention schemes of the Federal Government, which the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is implementing.”
”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.”
