The Peoples Democratic Party had demanded Betta Edu’s prosecution over the alleged diversion of NSIPA’s N44 billion and probe of the N585.2 million allegedly paid into a private account.
According to the party, only a comprehensive investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of the said fraud would yield acceptable results.
The opposition party added in a statement by its Spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, claimed that Edu was “working with two prominent APC officials in the Presidency and the National Assembly to fleece the government.
The statement partly reads: “The exposed fraud in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs is just a tip of the iceberg…The continuing stay of Betta Edu as minister is provocative.
“For emphasis, Section 713 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations, 2009 provides that “Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private bank account. An officer who pays public money into a private account is deemed to have done so with a fraudulent intention.
“A very disturbing information in the public domain indicates that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs is allegedly working with two prominent APC officials in the Presidency and the National Assembly, who are alleged to be using ministers and other officials of government to divert billions of naira to personal accounts.
“Additional information reveals that there are moves to use the suspended National Coordinator of NSIPA, Halima Shehu as a scapegoat so as to sweep the involvement of the Minister and the said APC leaders under the carpet.
“What Nigerians demand of President Tinubu at the moment is to demonstrate commitment to the fight against corruption by immediately sacking Betta Edu…”
Edu, however ,got the backing of a pro-democracy women group which called on President Tinubu to ignore all for her removal from office.
The group, Nigeria Women Arise for Democracy, said it has closely monitored the developments surrounding the rumors of corruption in the disbursement of social intervention funds by the minister.
National Coordinator of the group, Modupe Salau, said the “campaign of calumny against Edu appears to be the handiwork of mischief makers and individuals with vested interests in sabotaging her laudable efforts.”
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