Two months following the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Presidency have maintained silence regarding the subsequent steps, as reported by Daily Trust.
Investigations conducted over the weekend by our correspondent revealed that following Edu’s suspension on January 8, the EFCC carried out a thorough investigation and submitted an interim report to the presidency. It is understood that the anti-graft agency recommended Edu’s prosecution based on the findings of their investigation.
However, due to Edu’s perceived contributions to the success of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), influential figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, are reportedly exerting pressure on President Bola Tinubu to provide her with a “soft landing.” These influential backers advocate for Edu to be offered another appointment rather than reinstating her as minister.
Conversely, it appears that Halima Shehu, the suspended coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), may have been cleared by the EFCC in its interim report. According to sources, the leaked documents concerning expenditures under Halima’s tenure have been scrutinized, and the expenses were found to adhere to standard procedures.
Despite credible sources confirming the submission of an interim report, Dele Oyewale, the spokesman of the EFCC, declined to provide further details, stating that the investigation is still ongoing.
Regarding the allegation that Akpabio is lobbying for a favorable outcome for the suspended minister, Eseme Eyiboh, spokesman for the Senate president, clarified that Edu’s fate lies with her appointer and not with the Senate president.
Meanwhile, investigations at the EFCC indicate that the suspended officials have not yet been listed for prosecution, contrary to the responsibilities of the anti-graft agency outlined in its establishing Act.
Edu came under scrutiny after a memo surfaced online, revealing her request to transfer N585 million to a private account. Subsequent controversial approvals, including airfares to Kogi, a state without an airport, led to her suspension by the president.
In addition to the EFCC probe, Tinubu directed a panel led by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to conduct a comprehensive diagnostic of the social investment programmes. This panel recommended transferring the programmes from the purview of the humanitarian affairs ministry to the federal ministry of finance.
Documents suggest that the suspended programmes should be reinstated under the supervision of a new board led by Edun, aiming to alleviate the plight of poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Edun hinted at plans to relaunch direct cash transfers to approximately 12 million vulnerable Nigerians amid the country’s high cost of living during a retreat organized by his ministry in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
When contacted for comments, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, declined to provide information regarding the submission of the interim report to the president.
