EFCC invites suspended minister Betta Edu, denied access to Tinubu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to its headquarters located in Jabi area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The invitation came less than 30 minutes the President, Bola Tinubu announced Edu’s immediate suspension from office Through his Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

An operative of the EFCC, who confirmed the development, said the anti-graft agency had earlier recommended the immediate suspension of the Minister in order to pave way for the ongoing investigation that had been ordered by the President.

The source noted that the commission had immediately swung into action immediately the President ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged of payment of N585.189 million grant meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states into a private account.

“Our investigation into the alleged payment won’t be thorough if we didn’t recommend the Minister’s suspension. Her suspension will give us liberty to do our job thoroughly as directed by the President.

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“An official invitation by the commission has already been sent to her. We expect her to honour the invitation to give proper insight into the issue at hand. So, we expect her to arrive here anytime soon,” the EFCC official said.

Meanwhile, the embattled minister was denied access to President Bola Tinubu at the Villa.

She was ferried out of the Villa when it was impossible to meet with the President.

Civil Society Organisations, activists lawyers, opposition political parties had called for her sack just as the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said on Saturday that the matter was under investigation.

ROYAL NEWS reported that Dr. Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Faruk, this morning has reported to EFCC headquarters over N37bn fraud allegation.