Amidst the ongoing probe into the purported misappropriation of N585 million involving the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Betta Edu, the Presidency issued a statement on Monday, urging Nigerians to exercise caution and patience, emphasizing the need to avoid conducting a trial through the media.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, made this statement in response to recent revelations regarding the matter. He revealed that President Bola Tinubu sanctioned the release of N3 billion to conduct a verification of the National Social Register during the previous administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
The social register was established for cash transfers and various social investment programs under President Buhari.
A memo dated December 18, 2023, from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, titled ‘Conveyance of approval; Re: appeal to use N3,000,000,000.00 (three billion naira) from the Covid-19 palliative fund for verification of the national social register,’ read:
“The above subject refers. Please be informed that Mr President has approved the expenditure of N3,000,000,000.00 (three billion naira) only, from the Covid-19 Palliative Fund for verification of the National Social Register. Please accept the assurance of my highest regards.
But speaking to newsmen on Monday night, Onanuga said “The President has directed the EFCC to investigate the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and all these matters are under investigation already.
“I am sure that the EFCC had seen that memo from the Office of the Chief of Staff and they are doing something about these findings.
“Let us allow them to do their work. Let us not to be doing double investigation on the same issue or a media trial on an issue that is under investigation. Nigerians should exercise patience.
“When the EFCC is done with their findings, they will tender their report to the President who will then act on the result of the investigation.”
An online platform disclosed that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, headed by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disbursed a total of N438.1m to a company owned by the minister for consultancy services within the contract.
New Planet Project Limited was among the consulting firms selected for contracts from the N3bn allocated by the suspended minister for the national social register project.
Other beneficiaries reportedly include Fabunmi Olanipekun & Co, receiving N419.5m; Vintsolve Global Consult, which obtained N558.8m; Periscope Consulting, granted N277m; Blue Trend Enterprise, reportedly compensated with N277.8m; Laitop Dynamics Interlink Services, obtaining N277m; Memak Nigeria Limited, awarded N277m; MC Van Management Consult Limited, receiving N275.8m; Danzinger Nigeria Limited, also securing N275.8m; and Blue Trend Enterprises, obtaining N277.8m.