The Presidency has unequivocally asserted President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, particularly in the ongoing inquiry into the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and its Social Investment Programmes.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, made this announcement during his appearance on TVC’s “Politics on Sunday.”
Ngelale stressed that the Tinubu administration has no room for ‘sacred cows’ and affirmed that decisive action will be taken against anyone found responsible in the ongoing investigation.
Following the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, on January 7, President Tinubu directed the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the financial transactions involving the ministry and its associated agencies.
In addition, Tinubu appointed a panel led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to conduct a thorough diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes.
Providing insights into the ongoing probe, Ngelale stated, “The President has given full instruction to the EFCC chairman to not only conduct a thorough investigation. The way the President would direct such an investigation is to say that nobody, no name, should be left out if they are found wanting in the situation. No sacred cows at all.”
Edu came under scrutiny after a leaked memo on December 20 revealed that she directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585m to a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, who the ministry claimed currently serves as the Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups which has prompted heightened attention to the ongoing investigation.
Ada Peter
