Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (HMAPA) remains under fire, with scandal engulfing current and past heads alike. This update explodes with revelations, investigations, and mounting pressure for decisive action.
Caught in the Web:
• Betta Edu, the suspended minister: The Presidency admits approving N3 billion for the National Social Register verification under her watch, adding fuel to the flames of her suspension. Investigations into the ministry’s activities under her leadership are intensifying.
• Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, Edu’s predecessor: Both Edu and Umar-Farouq face scrutiny from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with their passports seized to facilitate investigations.
• Interior Minister under the Microscope: Calls for the suspension of Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo are deafening. Leaked documents suggest his company received N438 million from HMAPA, triggering a Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) investigation and a summons for questioning.
Key developments:
• CCB grills Tunji-Ojo: The CCB confirms its official invitation to Tunji-Ojo regarding the N438 million contract, potentially paving the way for further action.
• N3 billion approved for social register verification: This news raises red flags, with questions concerning transparency and purpose surrounding the funds’ origin and allocation.
• Investigation underway: The Presidency confirms a probe into HMAPA’s activities, offering hope for accountability and potential consequences for wrongdoing.