The Presidency on Monday urged patience and restraint from Nigerians in view of the continuing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of N585 million by the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Betta Edu. The Presidency also cautioned against a media trial.
In response to recent disclosures on the subject, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Advisor to the President on Information and Strategy, revealed that President Bola Tinubu had authorized the release of N3 billion to validate the National Social Register during the previous administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
Under Buhari, the social register was established for cash transfers and other social investment initiatives.
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A memo titled “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,” dated December 18, 2023, was sent by the Office of Chief of Staff to President Femi Gbajabiamila. peruse:
“The topic above relates. Please be advised that the National Social Register verification will cost N3,000,000,000.00 (three billion naira) exclusively, as approved by Mr. President, from the Covid-19 Palliative Fund. I assure you that you have my best regards.
But Onanuga stated, “The President has directed the EFCC to investigate the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and all these matters are under investigation already,” in an interview with The PUNCH on Monday night.
I have no doubt that the EFCC was aware of the Office of the Chief of Staff document and is taking action in response to the findings.
“Let them finish their work,” I said. Let’s avoid conducting duplicate inquiries into the same matter or holding a media trial regarding an ongoing probe. Nigerians need to be patient.
“After the EFCC completes its investigation, they will present their report to the President, who will take appropriate action.”
According to an online forum, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under Betta Edu paid a company owned by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo N438.1 million in total for consulting services under the contract.
One of the consultants that allegedly received contracts from the N3 billion given by the suspended minister for the national social register contract was New Planet Project Limited.
Other beneficiaries reportedly received N419.5 million from Fabunmi Olanipekun & Co.; N558.8 million from Vintsolve Global Consult; N277 million from Periscope Consulting; N277.8 million from Blue Trend Enterprise; N277 million from Laitop Dynamics Interlink Services; N277 million from Memak Nigeria Limited; N275.8 million from MC Van Management Consult Limited; and N275.8 million from Danzinger Nigeria Limited.