Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has refuted the N585m fraud allegation against her, asserting that it is an attempt by certain entities to undermine the ministry’s anti-corruption initiatives and its mission to uplift the less fortunate.
The Minister conveyed this message through a statement shared on her Facebook page on Saturday.
On Friday, Betta Edu faced substantial criticism following the emergence of a memo revealing her directive to the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585 million to a private account owned by Oniyelu Bridget.
In response to the unfolding events, the ministry asserted that Oniyelu Bridget serves as the Project Accountant for Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
However, Betta Edu, addressing the matter, dismissed the corruption allegation as baseless.
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.”