Juliet Buna
The Peoples Democratic Party has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately dismiss and prosecute Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, following allegations of money laundering.
According to a leaked memo dated December 20, 2023, instructions were given for a payment that allegedly involved the diversion of hundreds of millions of naira intended for the welfare of impoverished Nigerians.
In a statement by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Sunday, the party expressed its dismay at the situation, describing it as tragic and disheartening that a minister entrusted with public funds would allegedly misappropriate money meant to support those in need.
Ologunagba stated that Edu’s continued presence as a minister was not only provocative but also tantamount to theft from the people, daring them to take action.
According to Ologunagba, the development further reinforces the PDP’s belief that the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress government is a hotbed of corruption.
“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.
“The apparent fraudulent intention by Betta Edu in diverting public funds into a private account; an action which was appropriately declared illegal by the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, is consistent with APC’s character and proclivity for plundering of public resources.
“The lack of remorse by the Minister especially in her lame attempt to justify the illegal diversion of funds meant for poor Nigerians is also consistent with the insensitivity, heartlessness, impunity, and criminal audacity inherent in the APC administration”.
Edu has faced heavy criticism after a memo emerged in which she reportedly instructed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585 million to a private account belonging to an individual named Oniyelu Bridget. The ministry claims that Bridget currently serves as the Project Accountant for Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
