Tinubu, in white, has moved fast to consolidate his administration since taking the oath of office on May 29
AFP

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Betta Edu to its headquarters in Abuja for questioning in connection with a N585 million fraud allegation.

The summons came minutes after President Bola Tinubu suspended the minister Monday. Edu has been accused of ordering the transfer of N585.2 million into the private account of a civil servant, who is the accountant in charge of grants for vulnerable Nigerians.

"An official invitation by the commission has already been sent to her," Premium Times reported, citing a source. "We expect her to honor the invitation and come to the commission on Tuesday to give proper insight into the issue at hand."

In a statement shared on X, Ajuri Ngelale, special advisor to the president, said Tinubu has also directed EFCC executive chairman and other agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

"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," the statement read.

Tinubu also directed a panel, which is headed by the coordinating minister of the economy and minister of finance, to "conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programs."

The aim is to conclusively reform the "relevant institutions and programs 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."

A leaked memo last week revealed that Edu had asked Accountant-General Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein to transfer N585.2 million to the private bank account of a project accountant in her ministry.

Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi issued a statement Sunday, urging people to not rely on unverified reports circulating on the internet and to wait for the ministry to share details.

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