The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq.

She was earlier interrogated by EFCC investigators over allegations of corruption in the handling of N37.1 billion social intervention funds during her tenure.

Umar Farouq arrived at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja on Monday in honour of an earlier invitation over an investigation into her time as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.

EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, similarly confirmed the development in an interview with Premium Times, saying, “Mrs Sadiya Umar-Farouk arrived at our office this morning.”

The ongoing investigation by the EFCC revolves around the staggering sum of N37.1 billion allegedly laundered by officials of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development then led by Umar-Farouq as the minister.

The EFCC had earlier grilled the suspended National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu.

The commission detained Shehu after raiding NSIPA’s office in the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, on 2 January. She was held for questioning till the following day when she was released on bail.

Shehu, who was recently suspended by President Bola Tinubu, was responsible for overseeing the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. She was replaced with Akindele Egbuwalo, in an acting capacity.

The EFCC also summoned Umar Farouq for questioning over the case, but she requested a rescheduling of the appointment.

A High Court of the FCT has awarded a cost of N100m against the federal government of Nigeria for violating the right to personal liberty of former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

The cost was awarded on Monday by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi while ruling on a fundamental right enforcement suit filed by Emefiele challenging his unlawful detention by agents of the federal government (DSS and EFCC).

Justice Adeniyi also restrained the federal government from further re-arresting Emefiele without an order of court.

The court held it was time to put an end to the unlawful practice of arrest before investigations.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to its headquarters located in Jabi area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Daily Trust has reliably learnt.

The invitation came less than 30 minutes the President, Bola Tinubu announced Edu’s immediate suspension from office Through his Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

An operative of the EFCC, who confirmed the development to our correspondent, said the anti-graft agency had earlier recommended the immediate suspension of the Minister in order to pave way for the ongoing investigation that had been ordered by the President.

The source noted that the commission had immediately swung into action immediately the President ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged of payment of N585.189 million grant meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states into a private account.

“Our investigation into the alleged payment won’t be thorough if we didn’t recommend the Minister’s suspension. 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,” the EFCC official told Daily Trust.

The spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comment immediately as calls pulled across to his mobile phone were yet to connect.

Civil Society Organisations, activists lawyers, opposition political parties had called for her sack just as the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told Daily Trust on Saturday that the matter was under investigation.

Doyin Okupe, former Director-General of Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organization, has resigned from the Labour Party.

Okupe made this known in a letter sent to the leadership of the party on Monday.

He attributed his resignation to ideological differences, saying his lifelong alignment as a right-wing and liberal democrat clashed with LP’s left-of-center ideology.

“I submit herewith my letter of resignation from the Labour Party with effect from today. You will recall that our flagbearer, Mr Peter Obi, myself and others left the PDP abruptly and had to look for a Special Purpose Vehicle in which to contest the 2023 Presidential Elections.”

“The Labour Party, your good self, and other members of your executives provided us with this veritable platform with no burdensomeness whatsoever and for which we were extremely grateful.

“We did contest the election on the platform of the Labour Party and lost. This makes it exceedingly difficult for me to continue to stay in the Labour Party which is ideologically rooted in the left of the center.

“I have been a rightist and a Liberal Democrat all my entire life. It is therefore this ideological conflict that makes me seek an exit so that I may continue my political activities with liberalism, sincerity and freedom.

“I wish to thank you in particular and other members of the leadership of the party for the cordiality and respect accorded to me as the Director General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organization.

“I wish you and the party success in your future endeavors. Long live the Labour Party. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your brother, friend and compatriot, Omooba (Dr Doyin Okupe, Former Director General Obi-Datti Campaign Organization.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect.

The suspension was announced in a statement on Monday by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.

A viral document signed by the Minister and addressed to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation had revealed that she ordered the payment of the money into one Bridget Mojisola Oniyelu’s private account.

The leaked document showed that the money was paid into Oniyelu’s account.

The minister’s media aide, Rasheed Zubair, had in a statement on Friday said the payment followed due process.

Edu had also, in a statement she posted on her Facebook page on Saturday, said the allegation was baseless.

But the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Sunday said Tinubu had directed a thorough investigation into the matter, adding that any breaches would be decisively punished.

Tinubu on Monday said the suspension was in line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians.

The statement read: “The President further directs the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.

“The suspended Minister is hereby directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and she is further directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.

“Furthermore, the President has tasked a panel that is headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to, among other functions, conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes with a view to conclusively reforming the relevant institutions and programmes in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence in the initiative.

“These directives of the President take immediate effect.”

In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect.

The President further directs the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.

The suspended Minister is hereby directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and she is further directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.

Furthermore, the President has tasked a panel that is headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to, among other functions, conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes with a view to conclusively reforming the relevant institutions and programmes in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence in the initiative.

These directives of the President take immediate effect.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

Mohammed Idris, the Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation of Nigeria, issues this statement to address the widespread information circulating regarding the use of public funds by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The Ministry of Information and National Orientation acknowledges the concerns raised by the public regarding the alleged payment of funds into a private account by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. We are aware of the narratives circulating widely and wish to assure Nigerians that the Government takes these issues most seriously.

The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is transparent and accountable to the people, and committed to ensuring that public funds are allocated and utilized effectively and efficiently to address the needs of Nigerians.

In light of recent events, the President has directed that a thorough and comprehensive investigation be conducted to ascertain the accuracy and validity of the reported details.

The government is determined to unravel the truth as it relates to this matter, and assures that appropriate action will be taken to ensure that any breaches and infractions are identified and decisively punished, in line with the Administration’s commitment to public accountability and due process.

The public is advised to note, against the backdrop of various unverified narratives circulating on the Internet, that the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, under the leadership of Minister Mohammed Idris, is the primary source for verified information about events and actions of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Only accurate details will be shared with the public. The Ministry is committed to providing timely updates to keep Nigerians informed about the progress of the investigation.

We urge Nigerians to exercise patience as the investigation unfolds. The government is focused on ensuring a fair and unbiased process, and the findings will be communicated duly and transparently to the public.

Mohammed Idris
Minister of Information and National Orientation
January 7, 2024

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, has urged President Bola Tinubu to closely monitor the disbursement of funds allocated to various poverty alleviation programmes.

Oyintiloye spoke amid the misappropriation scandal involving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.

Recall that Edu was accused of illegally transferring N585.189 million meant for the vulnerable in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states into a private account.

Following the widespread outrage, the minister said the payment was subjected to due process.

However, Oyintiloye said Tinubu’s passion for alleviating poverty among the masses must not be allowed to be truncated by selfish individuals.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, the APC chieftain said that all necessary strategies must be put in place to ensure that different intervention programmes initiated by the President have a positive impact on the lives of the less privileged Nigerians, NAN reports.

“We have a president who is monitoring everything being done in his government and that is why we have absolute trust him.

”We must encourage and support the president to keep an eagle eye on these intervention programmes to prevent diversion.

”Since the money is meant to alleviate poverty among the masses, every necessary strategy must be in place to ensure that allocated money have positive impact on the lives of the less privileged Nigerians,” he said.

Adebutu vs Abiodun to come up Thursday

Judgment likely on Kano, Lagos Friday

The Supreme Court will this week hear 21 appeals arising from the disputes over the March 18, 2023 governorship elections.

In its schedule for the week, the cases on Ebonyi, Plateau, Delta, Adamawa, Abia, Ogun, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states will be heard between today and Thursday.

The Nation learnt that the apex court may deliver judgments in the post-election governorship appeals on Kano, Lagos and others on Friday.

According to the court’s schedule sighted last night, the court will adjudicate today on an appeal by the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Odoh Benard; two appeals by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in Ebonyi State, Chukwuma Odii Ifeanyi; and two by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Benue State, Uba Titus against INEC, APC and others.

Tomorrow, the apex court will hear six appeals – three on Plateau State filed by the PDP, its candidate, Caleb Muftwang and INEC; and three on Delta State, filed by Kenneth Gbagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ovie Augustine Omo-Agege of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peta Kennedy of the Labour Party (LP).

On Wednesday, the court listed for hearing four appeals, two concerning Adamawa State filed by the candidate of the SDP, and a counter-appeal by Ahmadu Fintiri of the PDP (the governor).

The other two appeals were filed by Okechukwu Ahiwe of the PDP and Ikechi Emenike of the APC on the Abia State governorship poll.

On Thursday, the court plans to hear six appeals – two on Ogun State filed by Oladipo Adebutu of the PDP and a counter appeal by Adedapo Abiodun of the APC (the governor); one on Cross River, filed by Prof. Sandy Onor of the PDP; and two in respect of Akwa Ibom State, filed by Akpan Udofia of the Young Peoples Party (YPP) and John Akpan Udoedehe of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP).

Deji Adeyanju, a renowned human rights activist, has called on President Bola Tinubu to sack the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu if found guilty of financial misappropriation.

In a statement he signed, Adeyanju said Tinubu should ensure a transparent and independent investigation into the scandal.

Edu had come under heavy criticism after a memo surfaced where she directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585.2 million into a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, who the Ministry claimed currently serves as the Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups.

The minister said the payment followed due process, but the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein was of a contrary opinion.

Reacting, Adeyanju, the convener of Concerned Nigerians, commended the Accountant-General of the Federation for her steadfastness in refusing to grant the request by Edu.

He said: “This action by the Accountant-General is in line with Chapter Seven, Section 713 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009, which clearly states that personal money shall not be paid into a government bank account, nor should any public money be paid into a private account.

“I applaud the Accountant-General for her unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of accountability and transparency in the management of public finances.

“Her refusal to comply with the improper and illegal request by the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs demonstrates her integrity and dedication to the rule of law. By adhering to the Financial Regulations, she has set a commendable example for other public officials to follow.

“In light of these developments, I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action against the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.

“The request made by the Minister to transfer such a substantial amount into an individual’s private account is a flagrant violation of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations. It raises serious concerns about the misuse of public funds and suggests a breach of trust by a high-ranking government official.

“Adeyanju urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure a transparent and independent investigation into the matter and, if found guilty, to suspend the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs pending further disciplinary actions saying the senseless looting perpetrated by Betta Edu reason military truncated severally democratic governments in the country. The president should sack her and preserve our democracy.

“This step is crucial to maintaining public confidence in the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring the prudent management of public resources.”

[DailyPost]