. Suspends Betta Edu over humanitarian fund scandal
President Bola Tinubu yesterday, dismissed with immediate effect the chief executive officers (CEOs) Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Alexander Okoh, and Babatunde Irukera, respectively.
In a statement by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, the president explained that the sack conforms “with plans to restructure and reposition critical agencies of the federal government towards protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers and providing a strong basis for enhanced contributions to the nation’s economy by key growth-enabling institutions.”
The statement added that “the two dismissed chief executives are directed to hand over to the next most senior officer in their respective agencies, pending the appointment of new chief executive officers.
The suspension is in line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians.
Beta Edu’s suspension
The sacking of the two CEOs comes just as the President also suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect.
Edu’s suspension was “In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians.”
The President further directed the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.
Ms Edu was directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.
“Furthermore, the President has tasked a panel that is headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to, among other functions, conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes.”
This is “with a view to conclusively reforming the relevant institutions and programmes in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence in the initiative.”
