JUST IN: BETTA EDU DENIED ACCESS TO PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, GETS EFCC INVITE
By Sefiu Ajape
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the recently suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to its headquarters in the Jabi area of the Federal Capital Territory over an alleged N585 million scandal.
The invitation came less than an hour after Edu’s suspension from office was announced by President Bola Tinubu through the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
Edu, however, was also denied access to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
A reliable EFCC source, who confirmed the development to our correspondent, revealed that the anti-graft agency’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had previously suggested to the President that the Minister be suspended in order to allow for a thorough investigation.
The source added that the commission moved quickly after the President directed a comprehensive probe into the alleged transfer of a N585.189 million grant intended for vulnerable groups in the states of Lagos, Ogun, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom into a private account.
“We have invited the suspended Minister, Betta Edu. The invitation letter was sent to her immediately after her suspension was announced by the president. We’re expecting her at the headquarters any moment from now,” the source noted.
More Stories
UPDATE: GUNMEN KIDNAP SEVEN TRAVELLERS IN ONDO, 27 SUSPECTS ARRESTED
The Ondo State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the abduction of seven people along the Benin-Owo-Akure road at the Ifon...
VIOLENCE: MEXICAN PRISON RIOT LEAVES SEVEN DEAD
A prison riot left seven people dead in a Mexican state grappling with rising criminal violence, authorities said Tuesday. The...
NEWS: COURT ORDERS FINAL FORFEITURE OF N1.1BILLION, $392k, £35k FROM EX-BANKER
A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has reported ordered the final forfeiture of funds totalling N1,168,602,877.44, $392,818.01, and...
MOMPHA’S ALLEGED MONEY LAUNDERING TRIAL ADJOURNED TILL MARCH 13
The Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has adjourned the ongoing trial of Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha,...
TRAGIC: ‘AROUND 10’ DEAD, INCLUDING GUNMAN, IN SWEDEN’S WORST MASS SHOOTING
Agency Report Around 10 people were killed on Tuesday in a shooting at an education centre in Sweden, including the...
WORLD NEWS: TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER WITHDRAWING US FROM UN BODIES
Agency Report US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order withdrawing Washington from a number of United Nations...