A leaked letter suggests that Dr Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, urged the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, to divert a staggering N585 million designated for poverty alleviation in four states to a private account.
This unsettling development adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing crisis within the ministry and the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).
The controversy surrounding the ministry intensified when President Bola Tinubu suspended Halima Shehu, the National Coordinator and CEO of the NSIP Agency, over allegations of financial misappropriation amounting to N44 billion.
This decision was followed by an inquiry by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Simultaneously, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq, is also sought for questioning by the anti-graft commission.
In response to recent accusations published by an online platform regarding the diversion of funds into a private account owned by Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, a project manager, Dr Betta Edu defended the payment, asserting that due process was meticulously followed.
The funds, totaling N585 million, were earmarked as grants for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun states.
Breaking down the allocation, N219,429,750.00 was allocated for the 2023 Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Akwa Ibom State, N73,828,750.00 for Cross River State, N219,462,250.00 for Lagos State, and N72,468,750.00 for Ogun State.
The minister clarified that the payment was meant for social intervention schemes and that the Renewed Hope Grant for Vulnerable Groups was a legitimate initiative.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation expressed dismay over a memo circulating on social media, highlighting the approval of N585,189,500.00 for the Renewed Hope Grant for Vulnerable Groups in four states.
Rasheed Zubair, the special adviser on media and publicity to the minister, dismissed the circulated memo as an attempt by disgruntled elements to tarnish Dr Betta Edu’s reputation in the wake of the ongoing N44.8 billion fraud investigation in NSIPA.
Zubair emphasized that the payment was approved for the implementation of grants and dismissed allegations of impropriety.
He clarified that Oniyelu Bridget, identified as the Project Accountant for GVG from the Department of Finance, had legally utilized the funds for their intended purpose.
Amidst the storm, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, commended Minister Betta Edu for refusing to compromise on her principles.
He credited her steadfastness for exposing the alleged N44 billion fraud at NSIPA, noting that her commitment to reforms within the ministry has played a pivotal role.
As the EFCC intensifies its investigation into the alleged N44 billion fraud at NSIPA, the unfolding crisis in the Humanitarian Ministry continues to reveal layers of complexity, leaving stakeholders and the public eagerly awaiting further developments and resolutions.
