The social media space is awash with commentary on the Betta Edu saga, with much of the sentiment ending up at the doorstep of President Bola Tinubu, even as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continues to grill the suspended minister.
Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, stands accused of authorising the transfer of the N585.2 million into the private bank account of a civil servant, who is the accountant in charge of grants for vulnerable Nigerians.
This followed the surfacing of a memo last week, in which Edu purportedly directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585 million to a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, who the ministry claims currently serves as the Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
The instruction was not complied with, as it is said to be contrary to Chapter 7, Section 713 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations, 2009 which expressly prohibits the payment of public money into private accounts.
The minister had claimed that the accusations were false and orchestrated by fifth columnists with the sole intent of tarnishing her well-earned reputation and integrity amid the ongoing investigation of the NSIPA scandal by the EFCC.
President Tinubu suspended the minister from office and asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to look into the matter.Edu was still undergoing interrogation at the EFCC Ofice as at the time of filing this report.
Reacting on social media, @OnyekaCharles5 said, “Honestly, if government responds to every allegation of corruption the way Tinubu led government did to Betta Edu syndrome, some will steal with caution.”
@AROLE_Peter Obi said, “Sacking Betta Edu doesn’t mean Tinubu is working. Buhari did more than this, but his government became the MOST CORRUPT GOVERNMENT. Na paddy paddy government. Na Arrangee government. We know what we know. Betta won’t release all the money.”
@Abk_Abiso said President Tinubu is an attentive leader who demonstrates genuine concern for the Nigerian people, adding, “The suspension of Betta Edu proves that the government is listening to the voice of the people and acting in their best interest.”
@firstladyship said, “Too little too late. Doing the right when it suits you, is eyeservice. This reeks of hypocrisy. Why did you allow Betta Edu to stay on? Did it have to take public outcry? For an illegitimate government, Bola Ahmed Tinubu should have purchased a fairly used emotional intelligence.”
@chinanalyst7110 said, “Suspension of Betta Edu is not enough!!! We need these billions!!! My children and I are hungry!!! Imagine owing last term’s fees + no food, no transport, no help from the government in any way!!! What is going on in Tinubu’s Nigeria?? Enough should be enough!!! Madness badness!”
On X, renowned social critic, Reno Omokri, said the Accountant General confirmed that Betta Edu made illegal request to wire N585 million into a personal account and Halima Shehu equally confessed to moving N44 billion in just 5 days.
“Tinubu is making Buhari to look like a saint. How much is left in the Federation Account?” Omokri said.
Nifemi Oguntoye said, “This Betta Edu ‘N585m Disbursement Fraud’ is not a matter to be taken lightly. This is a very straightforward case for the EFCC. They should ensure justice is served.”
Edu reportedly arrived at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Jabi, Abuja, at 11am, Tuesday.
She came alongside her aides and lawyer.
Edu’s appearance at the EFCC office came barely a day after she was suspended by President Bola Tinubu.
On Monday, the President wielded his big stick and suspended the 37-year-old with immediate effect, making his party’s ex-national women leader the first to be removed from his 48-man cabinet inaugurated last August.
The President also ordered EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, “to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions” involving the ministry and “one or more agencies thereunder”.
