By Gloria Ogbonna
President Bola Tinubu has initiated a thorough investigation into an alleged financial irregularity totaling N585 million within the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
He has vowed to take decisive action against those found culpable in any breaches or infractions discovered during the investigations.
The directive was issued following rising concerns over the reported breach of financial regulations within the ministry. Notably, the leaked memo by Minister Betta Edu instructing the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer the said sum to a private bank account belonging to a project accountant in her ministry, Bridget Oniyelu, has sparked widespread demands for an unobstructed inquiry by various groups and individuals.
While the minister asserted the legitimacy of the payment, stating it was in line with civil service guidelines, the Accountant-General's office refuted executing the transfer, emphasizing that such payments into private accounts were against established procedures.
Responding to public outcry, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, assured Nigerians of the government's commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing these concerns. The statement affirmed that President Tinubu would sanction any individual found responsible for misconduct or breaches identified during the investigation.
The development has also drawn criticisms from legal experts, civil society groups, and political entities like the PDP, which called for the immediate dismissal and prosecution of the minister.
Additionally, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged misuse of public funds, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency.
The unfolding scenario has highlighted the need for stringent accountability measures within government ministries and underscored the importance of a thorough and transparent probe into the alleged financial misconduct.
Punch
Comments