President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the directive by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, requesting payment of N585.189 million grant meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos States into a private account.
The directive was disclosed in a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Recall that the minister had asked the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to pay the said amount to the personal account of a certain Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.
Edu’s request was contained in a letter referenced: FMHAPA/HQ/S.208 and dated December 20, 2023.
But the payment had generated controversy in the last two days.
Meanwhile, the statement by the Minister of Information said that the investigation became necessary following concerns raised by the public regarding the alleged payment.
The statement reads, “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.
