The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly invited the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, for questioning.
This development comes hours after the presidency announced the suspension of Ms Edu accused of violating the country’s financial regulations aimed at checkmating fraud.
Ms Edu got into trouble after a December 20, 2023 memo she approved, requesting the payments of about N600 million into a personal account, was made public.
The funds are said to be poverty intervention funds for four states, namely, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos and Ogun states.
Daily Trust quoting an anonymous anti-graft source, said the EFCC recommended the suspension of the embattled minister.
“Our investigation into the alleged payment won’t be thorough if we didn’t recommend the Minister’s suspension,” the source said. “Her suspension will give us liberty to do our job thoroughly as directed by the President.
“An official invitation by the commission has already been sent to her. We expect her to honour the invitation to give proper insight into the issue at hand. So, we expect her to arrive here anytime soon.”
