Tinubu Suspends Minister Betta Edu over N585m Scandal

President Bola Tinubu has swiftly suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu, following public outrage over an alleged N585 million scandal. The move aligns with Tinubu’s commitment to upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability in managing Nigeria’s resources.

The suspension was announced by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, who emphasized Tinubu’s dedication to high standards in governance. Tinubu had ordered a thorough investigation into the scandal on Sunday and promised decisive punishment for any wrongdoing uncovered.

Various groups, including the Peoples Democratic Party, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Femi Falana, SAN, the Yoruba Youth Assembly, and other civil society groups, called for an impartial probe into a leaked memo allegedly instructing the Accountant-General of the Federation to transfer N585m to a private bank account. The memo, attributed to Minister Betta Edu, claimed the payment was for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states.

Minister Edu defended the payment, stating that it was legal within civil service norms to deposit funds into private accounts of staff members, particularly project accountants. Despite her denial, the suspension underscores the seriousness with which the government is treating the allegations.