N585m Scandal: Tinubu vows to persecute anyone found guilty

On January 7, Tinubu suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and directed the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to “conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.”

Tinubu also tasked a panel headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, to, among other functions, “conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programs to conclusively reform the relevant institutions and programs in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence in the initiative.”

Ngelale provided background for the ongoing investigations, stating, “The President has given complete instructions to the EFCC chairman to not just undertake a comprehensive 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. There are no sacred cows at all.

“Anywhere this investigation takes the EFCC and other investigating authorities, that is where the investigation must go, and the President will take action accordingly.”

Edu became the target of Nigerians’ criticism after a leaked memo on December 20 revealed that she directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585 million to a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, who the ministry claimed is currently the Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups.

The development occurred just as ministers were preparing for their first performance review at the end of January.

In a press release signed on January 6 by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, the Federal Government stated that it is “determined to unravel the truth as it relates to this matter” and that “appropriate action will be taken to ensure that any breaches and infractions are identified and decisively punished.”

Furthermore, Ngelale added that Tinubu has “since made it clear to all members of his administration, within the Federal Executive Council and private meetings, that he will not tolerate any form of indiscipline, corruption, dereliction of duty, or any other form of incompetence.”

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Tinubu “is going to let time go by. If he fully understands that somebody is not up to the task, he will fix the problem and fix it as quickly as possible,” he added.

On January 12, just days after suspending Edu, the President stopped all social investment programs run by the National Social Investment Programme Agency, including the school feeding program, for six weeks.

A day later, he approved the formation of a Special Presidential Panel, to be led by Mr. Wale Edun.

The SPP, which was made up of ministers representing strategic sectors and would ensure a multidisciplinary approach to the reform effort, was chaired by the coordinating minister of the economy and finance, and Prof. Ali Pate, the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, served as a member.

Other members are Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Muhammad Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation; Bosun Tijjani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and the Digital Economy; and Ayodele Olawande, Minister of State for Youth.