Falana calls for Betta Edu’s resignation over N585m fraud scandal

Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has demanded the resignation of Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, for her alleged role in a fraud scandal involving N585.18 million.

In a statement on Sunday, Falana accused Edu of “betraying the confidence reposed in her” by the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria. He also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the investigation of the humanitarian ministry and prosecute all those involved in the scam.

According to Falana, Edu had approved the payment of N585.18 million to a personal account of one Oniyelu Bridget, purportedly as a grant for vulnerable groups in four states. He said this was a clear violation of the Public Service Rules, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Act, and the Penal Code applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.

Falana said Edu had failed to deny her involvement in the fraud, despite the evidence of a leaked letter allegedly signed by her, instructing the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Oluwatoyin Madein, to make the transfer. He said Madein had refused to act on the request, thereby preventing the looting of public funds.

Falana quoted Edu as saying that the fraud allegation was a “mere fabrication” by her detractors and an attempt to undermine her ministry’s efforts in fighting corruption and uplifting the needy. He said this was an insult to Nigerians and a sign of arrogance.

He said, “It is interesting to note that the minister has not denied that she gave approval for the payment of the over half a billion Naira to a private account in contravention of the extant Public Service Rules as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Act and the Penal Code applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.

“Instead of apologising to the Federal Government and people of Nigeria and calling it quits for betraying the confidence reposed in her, the Minister has arrogantly said that the N585.18 million fraud allegation is a mere fabrication by her detractors and an alleged attempt by mischief makers to undermine her ministry’s effort in fighting corruption and uplifting the needy.

“However, notwithstanding that the Accountant-General of the Federation has successfully frustrated the criminal diversion of the said sum of N585.18 million from public treasury, it is crystal clear from the leaked memorandum of the Minister that the offence of an attempt to commit a felony has already been completed.

“There can be no legal justification for the criminal diversion of the said sum of N585.18 million for disbursement to vulnerable people in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos and Ogun States since the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has collated the individual bank accounts of all the vulnerable people.”