Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called for the resignation of Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, accusing her of betraying the trust placed in her. In a statement on Sunday, Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the ongoing investigation of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and bring all implicated individuals to court.
Falana criticized the “extremely embarrassing drama” surrounding Edu’s alleged involvement in approving N585,198,500.00 for disbursement into a personal account. According to a letter purportedly signed by the minister, Edu instructed the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer the sum to the account of Oniyelu Bridget as a grant for vulnerable groups in four states.
However, Madein clarified that while her office received a payment request from the humanitarian ministry, no action was taken. Edu countered, claiming there was an orchestrated effort to tarnish her image and asserting her commitment to avoiding embezzlement of government funds.
Falana rebuked Edu for not addressing the approval of funds to a private account instead of direct transfer to beneficiaries’ accounts. He emphasized that the minister failed to deny this breach of Public Service Rules, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Act, and the Penal Code applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.
Falana stated, “Instead of apologizing and resigning for betraying the confidence reposed in her, the Minister has arrogantly dismissed the N585.18 million fraud allegation as a fabrication by her detractors.” He highlighted that, despite the Accountant-General’s intervention to prevent the diversion, the offense of attempting to commit a felony was already complete, and there is no legal justification for the criminal diversion of the funds intended for vulnerable people in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun States.
