*Pix above: Betta Edu
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, in response to allegation of misappropriation of N585 million in palliative funds, and then resorting to Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for illegal replacement.
–r-i: PBAT, Betta Edu and Toyin Madein
Edu has faced severe backlash from the public following the revelation of a leaked memo directing Oluwatoyin Madein, the Accountant-General of the Federation, to transfer N585.198 million to a private account.
The minister was also discovered to have granted funds for flight tickets and airport taxis for ministry staff traveling to Kogi, a motorable distance and a state without an airport.
Meanwhile, Oluwatoyin Madein, Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), says she willfully pooh-poohed the request of Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, for running foul of established public accounting procedures.
Madein said no bulk money “is supposed to be made to an individual’s account in the name of Project Accountant”.
The State Online reports that In a letter dated 20 December, 2023, referencing FMHAPA/HQ/S.208, Minister Edu had sought the funds’ transfer to the personal account of Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, stating it was meant for grants to vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos States.
Following public outcry over the perceived illegality of the minister’s request, the AGF clarified her position in a statement issued by the OAGF Director of Press, Bawa Mokwa, on Saturday in Abuja.
The statement emphasized that it was not the AGF’s role to make payments for projects on behalf of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
Madein stated, “Allocations are released to self-accounting MDAs in line with the budget, and such MDAs are responsible for the implementation of their projects and payments for such projects.”/PLEASE SHARE
*Tags: Beta Edu, Oluwatoyin Madein
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