President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a “thorough and comprehensive” investigation of the alleged payment of N545 million Humanitarian fund into a private account.

The probe, said Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris, is to “ascertain the accuracy and validity of the reported details.”

Idris added in a statement he personally signed yesterday that anyone found culpable would be “decisively punished” in line with President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to accountability and due process.

Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation ministry and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation are at the centre of the controversy.

Betta Edu, whose ministry provides leadership and coordinates all matters relating to humanitarian challenges and poverty alleviation in country, is also enmeshed in another allegation of diversion of N44 billion National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) cash.

Although NSIPA exonerated the minister of any involvement, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) yesterday called for her immediate sack and prosecution.

In a statement yesterday, the information minister enjoined Nigerians to be patient as the government investigates the alleged payment of the N545 million into an private account.

He, however, reminded the public that his ministry “is the primary source for verified information” about events and actions of the Federal Government.

The minister said: “The Ministry of Information and National Orientation acknowledges the concerns raised by the public regarding the alleged payment of funds into a private account by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

“We are aware of the narratives circulating widely and wish to assure Nigerians that the government takes these issues most seriously.

“The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is transparent and accountable to the people, and committed to ensuring that public funds are allocated and utilized effectively and efficiently to address the needs of Nigerians.

“In light of recent events, the President has directed that a thorough and comprehensive investigation be conducted to ascertain the accuracy and validity of the reported details.

“The government is determined to unravel the truth as it relates to this matter, and assures that appropriate action will be taken to ensure that any breaches and infractions are identified and decisively punished, in line with the administration’s commitment to public accountability and due process.

“The public is advised to note, against the backdrop of various unverified narratives circulating on the Internet, that the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, under the leadership of Minister Mohammed Idris, is the primary source for verified information about events and actions of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Only accurate details will be shared with the public. The ministry is committed to providing timely updates to keep Nigerians informed about the progress of the investigation.

“We urge Nigerians to exercise patience as the investigation unfolds. The government is focused on ensuring a fair and unbiased process, and the findings will be communicated duly and transparently to the public.”

PDP demands Edu’s sack

Also yesterday, the PDP demanded Edu’s prosecution over the alleged diversion of NSIPA’s N44 billion and probe of the N585.2 million allegedly paid into a private account.

According to the party, only a comprehensive investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of the said fraud would yield acceptable results.

The opposition party added in a statement by its Spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, claimed that Edu was “working with two prominent APC officials in the Presidency and the National Assembly to fleece the government.

The statement partly reads: “The exposed fraud in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs is just a tip of the iceberg…The continuing stay of Betta Edu as minister is provocative.

“For emphasis, Section 713 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations, 2009 provides that “Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private bank account. An officer who pays public money into a private account is deemed to have done so with a fraudulent intention.

“A very disturbing information in the public domain indicates that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs is allegedly working with two prominent APC officials in the Presidency and the National Assembly, who are alleged to be using ministers and other officials of government to divert billions of naira to personal accounts.

“Additional information reveals that there are moves to use the suspended National Coordinator of NSIPA, Halima Shehu as a scapegoat so as to sweep the involvement of the Minister and the said APC leaders under the carpet.

“What Nigerians demand of President Tinubu at the moment is to demonstrate commitment to the fight against corruption by immediately sacking Betta Edu…”

Edu, however ,got the backing of a pro-democracy women group which called on President Tinubu to ignore all for her removal from office.

The group, Nigeria Women Arise for Democracy, said it has closely monitored the developments surrounding the rumors of corruption in the disbursement of social intervention funds by the minister.

National Coordinator of the group, Modupe Salau, said the “campaign of calumny against Edu appears to be the handiwork of mischief makers and individuals with vested interests in sabotaging her laudable efforts.”