The Presidency called on Nigerians to exercise patience and restraint in the face of the ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of N585 million by Dr. Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. The Presidency also cautioned against holding a media trial.
Responding to new developments in the case, President Bola Tinubu authorised the release of N3 billion to validate the National Social Register during the former Muhammadu Buhari administration, according to Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Advisor to the President on Information and Strategy.
For the purpose of cash transfers and other social investment initiatives under Buhari, the social register was established.
A December 18, 2023, memo addressed to President Femi Gbajabiamila from the Office of Chief of Staff reads, “Conveyance of approval; Re: appeal to use N3,000,000,000.00 (three billion naira) from the Covid-19 palliative fund for verification of the national social register.” see:
“The topic above alludes to Please be advised that the President has authorised the use of N3,000,000,000.00 (three billion naira) exclusively from the Covid-19 Palliative Fund to pay for the National Social Register’s verification. Please accept my sincerest regards as an assurance.
However, Onanuga stated in an interview on Monday night that “the President has directed the EFCC to investigate the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and all these matters are already under investigation.”
“I’m positive the EFCC is acting on these findings and that they have seen the memo from the Office of the Chief of Staff.
“Let them finish the task at hand. We should refrain from conducting duplicate inquiries into the same matter or holding a media trial regarding an issue that is being looked into. Nigerians ought to have patience.
“After completing its investigation, the EFCC will present its report to the President, who will take appropriate action.”
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under Betta Edu paid a company owned by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo a total of N438.1 million for consulting services under the contract, according to an online platform.
According to reports, New Planet Project Limited was one of the consultants that received contracts from the N3 billion that the suspended minister distributed for the national social register contract.
Fabunmi Olanipekun & Co. reportedly received N419.5 million, Vintsolve Global Consult was paid N558.8 million, Periscope Consulting received N277 million, Blue Trend Enterprise received N277.8 million, Laitop Dynamics Interlink Services received N277 million, Memak Nigeria Limited received N277 million, MC Van Management Consult Limited received N275.8 million, Danzinger Nigeria Limited received N275.8 million, and Blue Trend Enterprises received N277.8 million.
