The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has called the N585 million fraud accusation against her unfounded, saying it was an attempt by malicious individuals to undermine her ministry’s anti-corruption initiatives.
The embattled minister revealed this in a statement posted on her official Facebook page on Saturday, January 6.
The minister faced harsh criticism on Friday following the release of a memo in which she instructed Oluwatoyin Madein, the Accountant-General of the Federation, to transfer N585 million to a personal account of Oniyelu Bridget.
According to the ministry, Bridget is currently the Project Accountant for Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
The instructions for the payment are contained in a leaked memo dated December 20, 2023.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, on Friday, said the N585.18m grant for vulnerable groups in four states was approved and followed the stipulated due process of government.
The minister broke her silence on the issue, which has since gone viral, and stated that the accusation is a sham put out by those who oppose her and want to hinder her efforts to fight corruption and help the underprivileged.
She said: “I am writing to address recent news circulating about alleged fraud within the Ministry of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation.
“As the minister, I want to assure you that these claims are baseless and an attempt to undermine the efforts we are making to fight corruption and uplift those in need.
“In the course of our work, we have encountered resistance from forces whose hands may not be clean, but I want to emphasise that our commitment to transparency, accountability, and eradicating corruption remains unwavering.
“The challenges we face only strengthen our resolve to serve with integrity and dedication.
“I believe in the power of truth prevailing, and with God as my strength, I am confident that our collective efforts will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of the less privileged. Your trust and support are invaluable as we navigate through these unfounded allegations.”