The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has been placed under immediate suspension by President Bola Tinubu.

The presidential spokeswoman, Ajuri Ngelale, announced Dr. Edu's suspension in a statement on Monday afternoon. Under President Tinubu's direction, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been entrusted with conducting a comprehensive investigation into every aspect of the financial transactions involving the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and or any of its agencies.

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"President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect 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 statement states in full. The President additionally orders the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out an exhaustive examination of all facets of the financial dealings involving the Federal Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Humanitarian Affairs, along with one or more of its agencies.

The President further directs the suspended Minister to fully cooperate with the investigative authorities during their inquiry. The suspended Minister is now commanded to turn herself over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. "Additionally, to eradicate any institutional weaknesses for the sole benefit of low-income households and restore public trust in the initiative, the President has charged a panel led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance with performing, among other things, a thorough diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programs. "These directives of the President take immediate effect."