In the midst of the ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of N585m by the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Betta Edu, the Presidency issued a call for restraint and patience from the Nigerian public on Monday. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, cautioned against a media trial while responding to fresh revelations in the matter.
Recent disclosures shed light on President Bola Tinubu’s approval of N3bn for the verification of the National Social Register during the former administration of Muhammadu Buhari. The social register was established for cash transfers and other social investment programs.
A memo dated December 18, 2023, from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, revealed the approval for the release of N3,000,000,000.00 from the Covid-19 Palliative Fund for the verification of the National Social Register. Onanuga emphasized that the President had directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and he urged Nigerians to exercise patience during the ongoing investigation.
Onanuga stated, “Let us allow them to do their work. Let us not be doing a double investigation on the same issue or a media trial on an issue that is under investigation. Nigerians should exercise patience. When the EFCC is done with their findings, they will tender their report to the President who will then act on the result of the investigation.”
The controversy further deepened as an online platform reported that a company owned by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, received N438.1m for consultancy services from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under Betta Edu. New Planet Project Limited was among the consultants awarded contracts from the N3bn allocated by the suspended minister for the national social register. Other beneficiaries included Fabunmi Olanipekun & Co, Vintsolve Global Consult, Periscope Consulting, Blue Trend Enterprise, Laitop Dynamics Interlink Services, Memak Nigeria Limited, MC Van Management Consult Limited, and Danzinger Nigeria Limited. The amounts ranged from N275.8m to N558.8m. The EFCC is currently investigating these allegations, and the findings will be reported to the President for appropriate action.
