The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged the Federal Government to extend the probe of the alleged diversion of funds in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), stressing that such issues were not restricted to the humanitarian ministry.
The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, made this call on a live Television programme monitored in Port Harcourt.
The rights activist lauded the Federal Government for probing the minister, Betta Edu and her predecessor, Sadiya Farouq and urged it to fish out their accomplices.
“The fraud allegedly perpetrated by both the previous minister, Sadiya, and the current one, definitely, they worked with some people, where are those people? If we want to get to the root of this, we must get them investigated.
“We will not let this matter die, this is one of the many of it.
”We call on the government to have the political will to pursue both probes till the end.
” The new administration must take the probes seriously because the country was broke and needed money”, Rafsanjani said.
It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu on Sunday ordered investigation of the alleged payment of N585 million into a private account by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.
A statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the investigation became necessary to ascertain the accuracy and validity of the reported details.
According to him, the Ministry is committed to providing timely updates to keep Nigerians informed about the progress of the investigation.
Idris called on Nigerians to exercise patience as the investigation unfolds, adding that the government is focused on ensuring a fair and unbiased process, and the findings will be communicated duly and transparently to the public.
The statement reads, “Mohammed Idris, the Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation of Nigeria, issues this statement to address the widespread information circulating regarding the use of public funds by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation._
“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.”
Edu’s alleged involvement in the approval of the whooping sum has been met with controversy.
Although the minister said some people planned to tarnish her image, the president subsequently ordered the probe into Edu’s ministry.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is presently probing Edu’s predecessor, Farouq, over the alleged laundering of N37.1 billion during her tenure as a minister under the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
