Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu through a release by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, earlier suspended the minister over the alleged misappropriation of funds in the ministry following the report.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to its headquarters over an alleged N585million scandal.

Our newsmen on Friday reported that Dr Edu asked the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mrs Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein to send public funds to a private account.

According to a letter obtained by our newsmen, the private account belongs to Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, identified as a project manager by the minister.

The letter from the minister with reference number: FMHAPA/HQ/OHM/S.208 to the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Madein dated December 20, 2023, had asked that over N585million be sent to a private account.

Signed by Dr Edu herself, the letter was titled “Mandate for Payment of Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos and Ogun States Respectively.”

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu through a release by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, earlier suspended the minister over the alleged misappropriation of funds in the ministry following the report.

Her invitation came less than an hour after her suspension from office was announced.

An EFCC source confirmed the minister’s invitation to the office of the commission, adding that the Chairman of the agency, Ola Olukoyede, had earlier recommended the suspension of the minister to the President to pave the way for proper investigation.

“We have invited the suspended Minister, Betta Edu. The invitation letter was sent to her immediately after her suspension was announced by the President. We’re expecting her at the headquarters any moment from now,” the source noted.