Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, has urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu, to refrain from insulting Nigerians following her dismissal of allegations regarding a N585 million fraud.
The embattled minister faced heavy criticism after a leaked memo surfaced, revealing her directive to transfer the said sum to a private account.
In the memo dated December 20, 2023, Minister Edu instructed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585 million to an account owned by Oniyelu Bridget, identified as the Project Accountant for Grants for Vulnerable Groups in the ministry.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation defended the transaction, asserting that the N585.18 million grant for vulnerable groups in four states underwent due process.
Reacting to the controversy, Minister Edu labeled the allegations as baseless fabrications by her detractors, portraying it as an attempt to undermine her ministry’s efforts in the fight against corruption and in aiding the needy.
Femi Falana, in a statement on Sunday, pointed out that the minister, while not denying her approval of the payment, refused to apologize or step down. Falana emphasized that despite the Accountant-General’s efforts to prevent the criminal diversion of funds, the leaked memorandum indicated an attempt to commit a felony.
Falana commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for recovering N37 billion meant for vulnerable people, urging the commission to expedite the investigation into the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. He called for the prompt charging of all indicted persons before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
The lawyer underscored the need for legal actions considering the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged fraud, urging accountability and transparency in handling funds meant for vulnerable citizens.
