Alleged Fraud: Civil Society Groups Task EFCC to Make Findings on Betta Edu Public
By Juliet Vincent
Concerned Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria (CCSON) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to make public its findings regarding the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu.
The group in a press statement issued to newsmen in Abuja on Friday, were making reference to the earlier write-up by the SLA to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Cecelia Ogbeche Odok from Cross Rivers State, who tagged Edu’s trial as witch-hunts, claiming that the suspended Minister is clean and should be acquitted of any wrong doing.
It could be recalled that Dr. Edu was suspended by President Bola Tinubu in January following serious allegations of misappropriating funds amounting to N585 million.
This decision came amidst growing scrutiny of her handling of the ministry’s resources, particularly concerning programs designed to alleviate poverty and support vulnerable populations in Nigeria.
The controversy intensified when it was revealed that Dr. Edu had approved flight fares for ministry staff traveling to Kogi State, a region that notably lacks an operational airport.
This raises an urgent question: what justified the approval of funds for flights to Kogi State, given there is no airport to accommodate such travel?
CCSON, while expressing alarm over the apparent inaction from the presidency regarding Dr. Edu’s case, especially when compared to the swift replacement of Halima Shehu, the National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, asserted that Halima was suspended alongside Edu.
The group criticized what they termed as disparity between Edu’s case and that of Halima, stressing that it undermines principles of accountability and fairness in governance.
“While we commend the prompt action taken against Halima Shehu, we are dismayed by the presidency’s silence regarding Dr. Betta Edu,” the statement read. “This selective accountability sends a troubling message about the commitment of this administration to uphold justice for all Nigerians.”
CCSON urged President Tinubu to take immediate action by replacing Dr. Edu, emphasizing the need for equitable treatment across all regions and the importance of transparency in government actions.
They also asserted that the public deserves clarity regarding the serious allegations and that the EFCC must act swiftly to restore trust in government institutions.
As the call for transparency grows, civil society groups are advocating for a thorough investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds, arguing that accountability is crucial for effective governance.
The Concerned Group has equally urged the EFCC to publicly disclose its findings, asserting that the Nigerian people have a right to know the truth behind these allegations, as they noted with concerned that the delay is making Nigerians to gradually lose their trust in the President Tinubu’s stance against corrupt practices in the country.
