A group of civil society organisations, Concerned Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria (CCSON), on Friday, called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to make public the findings of its investigation of suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu.
Edu was suspended by President Bola Tinubu on January 8 and ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged payment of N585.189 million grants meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states into a private account.
The decision to suspend the minister came amidst growing scrutiny of her handling of the ministry’s resources, particularly concerning programmes designed to alleviate poverty and support vulnerable populations in Nigeria.
The controversy intensified when it was revealed that Edu had approved flight fares for ministry staff traveling to Kogi State, which notably lacks an operational airport.
Apart from the N30billion EFCC informed that it recovered into government coffers in its investigation of the suspended minister and her ministry which was traced to 50 different accounts, the commission has yet to make its further findings public.
Reacting to a write-up by an aide to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Cecelia Ogbeche Odok from Cross Rivers State, who tagged Edu’s trial as a witch-hunt, claiming that the suspended minister is clean and should be acquitted of any wrongdoing, the group in a press statement today made available to Tribune Online in Abuja expressed dismay over the quietness on Edu.
According to CCSON, while National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, who was suspended same time as Edu had since been replaced, nothing was done about the minister.
While expressing alarm over the apparent inaction from the presidency regarding Edu’s case, the group criticised what it termed as disparity between Edu’s case and that of Shehu, stressing that it undermines principles of accountability and fairness in governance.
“While we commend the prompt action taken against Halima Shehu, we are dismayed by the presidency’s silence regarding Dr Betta Edu.
“This selective accountability sends a troubling message about the commitment of this administration to uphold justice for all Nigerians,” the statement reads in part.
CCSON therefore urged President Tinubu to take immediate action by replacing Edu, emphasising the need for equitable treatment across all regions and the importance of transparency in government actions.
It asserted that the public deserves clarity regarding the serious allegations and that the EFCC must act swiftly to restore trust in government institutions.
As the call for transparency grows, the civil society group advocates a thorough investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds, arguing that accountability is crucial for effective governance.
The CCSON equally urged EFCC to publicly disclose its findings, asserting that the Nigerians have a right to know the truth behind these allegations, noting that the delay is making Nigerians gradually lose their trust in President Tinubu’s stance against corrupt practices in the country.
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