N585m scandal: Four things to know about allegation against Tinubu’s Minister Betta Edu

Over the past 48 hours, the media has been filled with reports surrounding an alleged scandal involving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and a sum of N585 million.

The predicament for Edu began with the emergence of a leaked memo dated December 20, 2023, addressed to the Accountant General of the Federation. The memo requested the disbursement of N585 million, allocated for Grants for Vulnerable Groups, into a personal account.

Here are four key points that Nigerians should be aware of regarding the scandal:

1. Edu’s Confirmation of Payment to a Private Account: Minister Betta Edu acknowledged authorizing the payment of N585 million into a private account owned by Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola. In her defense, Edu asserted that the payment adhered to due process. She claimed to currently serve as the Project Accountant for Grants for Vulnerable Groups. However, this action contradicts Chapter 7, Section 713 of the Federal Government’s Financial Regulations 2009, which prohibits the deposit of personal money into a government bank account or the transfer of public money into a private account.
2. AGF’s Disapproval of Edu’s Payment: The Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatosin Madein, disapproved of Edu’s payment of N585 million into a personal account. In a statement on Saturday, Madein clarified that her office did not approve the payment request made by Edu. She highlighted that the Minister’s actions violated financial regulations.
3. Tinubu’s Order for Probe and Investigation: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Sunday, ordered a thorough investigation into the allegations and pledged to mete out punishment to those found guilty.
4. Calls for Edu’s Resignation and Legal Actions: The scandal has prompted nationwide outrage, with various individuals and groups calling for Edu’s resignation and prosecution. SERAP threatened to sue President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if he fails to probe the alleged payment. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana urged Edu to resign, stating that there is no legal justification for the diversion of the funds. Farooq Kperogi and Deji Adeyanju have also called for Edu’s removal, with Adeyanju attributing actions like hers to past disruptions of Nigeria’s democracy by the military.

In summary, the controversy surrounding Edu’s alleged financial mismanagement has ignited widespread condemnation, leading to calls for thorough investigations, legal actions, and demands for her resignation or removal from public office.