Falana Calls For The Resignation Of The Minister In Charge Of Npower Dr. Betta Edu

According to Npower News, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr. Femi Falana, in a recent statement calls for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the ongoing investigation of the Minister in charge of Npower Dr Betta Edu and charge all offenders to court.

Mr Femi Falana described the situation as an “extremely embarrassing drama”, the circumstances surrounding Dr Betta Edu’s alleged involvement in the authorization of ₦585,189,500 to be transferred into a private account.

In a leaked memorandum allegedly endorsed by the minister in charge of Npower Dr Betta Edu allegedly directed the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Oluwatoyin Madein, to pay the sum of ₦585,189,500 to the personal account of one Oniyelu Bridget as grant for vulnerable groups in four states.

According to Npower News, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) said the minister in charge of Npower should stop abusing Nigerians, adding that the minister in charge of Npower, failed to deny that she authorized the funds to be transferred to a personal account instead of direct payment to the beneficiaries’ accounts from the ministry.

According to Channels TV, Femi Falana (SAN) said, “It is interesting to note that the minister has not denied that she gave approval for the payment of the over half a billion Naira to a private account in contravention of the extant Public Service Rules as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Act and the Penal Code applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.

"Instead of apologising to the Federal Government and people of Nigeria and calling it quits for betraying the confidence reposed in her, the Minister has arrogantly said that the ₦585,189,500 fraud allegation is a mere fabrication by her detractors and an alleged attempt by mischief makers to frustrate her ministry’s effort in tackling corruption and uplifting the poor and needy.

“However, notwithstanding that the Accountant-General of the Federation has successfully frustrated the criminal transfer of the said sum of ₦585,189,500 from public treasury, it is crystal clear from the leaked memo of the Minister that the offence of an attempt to commit a felony has already been completed.

“There can be no legal justification for the criminal transfer of the said sum of ₦585,189,500 for disbursement to vulnerable people in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos and Ogun States since the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has collated the individual bank accounts of all the vulnerable people.”

Npower News: Labour Party, PDP And Civil Society Organisations Calls For The Prosecution Of The Minister In Charge Of Npower Dr. Betta Edu For Money Laundering

Displeasure over the document signed by the Minister in charge of Npower, Dr Betta Edu, requesting the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) Dr Oluwatoyin Madein, to make payment of ₦585,189,500 into the personal bank account of a project accountant in the name of Mrs Bridget Oniyelu, the Labour Party, PDP and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) are calling for the prosecution of the Minister in charge of Npower Dr. Betta Edu for money laundering

According to Npower News, the minister in charge of Npower Dr Betta Edu had claimed that the transfer was meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states.

The opposition parties; LP, PDP and Civil Society Organisations in an exclusive interview requested for the complete overhaul of the ministry in charge of Npower from the time it was established by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Npower News, in the leaked memo which has since gone viral, Dr. Betta Edu the minister in charge of Npower, directed the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) to make payment of ₦585,189,500 to the UBA bank account of the Minister's Project Accountant named Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.

According to the leaked memo, ₦219,429,750 was designated as “2023 grant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom state;” ₦73,828,750 was earmarked for Cross River State; ₦219,462,250 for Lagos State; and ₦72,468,750 was budgeted for Ogun State.

The minister in charge of Npower Dr. Betta Edu said the payment should be removed from the account of the National Social Investment Office (NSIO).

According to Npower News, the leaked memo read, “I hereby approve the payment of the cumulative sum of ₦585,189,500. These are payments for programmes and activities of the Renewed Hope grant for vulnerable groups.

“This payment should be made from the National Social Investment Office account with account number: 0020208461037 to the project accountant’s details listed above.”

According to Npower News, the Media Assistant to the Minister in charge of Npower, Rasheed Zubair, in a statement, disclosed that it was legal within the public service for such payments to be made into personal accounts of project accountants.

The Media Assistant to the Minister in charge of Npower, Rasheed Zubair, said “Oniyelu Bridget is the Project Accountant for the GVG from the Department of Finance, and it is legal in civil service for a staff, the project accountant, to be paid and use the same funds legally and retire the same with all receipts and evidence after the project or programme is completed."

Contrary to this, the Accountant General of the Federation AGF said her office did not honour the request to pay ₦585m into a personal account of the project accountant as directed by the minister in charge of Npower Dr Betta Edu.

According to Npower News, the Director of Press in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr Jacob Mokwa, said in a statement made few days ago that the Accountant General of the Federation does not make payments on behalf of Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The Accountant General of the Federation, revealed that her office received the Dr. Betta Edu's request as contained in a memo referenced FMHAPA/HQ/S.208 and dated December 20, 2023, but she did not effect the payments.

According to Npower News, the Accountant General of the Federation said that payments were usually processed by the affected ministries as self-accounting entities and no huge some of payment was supposed to be made to a personal account in the name of the project accountant.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Orders Investigation Of Dr Betta Edu Minster In Charge Of Npower

According to Npower News, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a thorough investigation of the Minister in charge of Npower Dr. Betta Edu.

According to Npower News, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris, revealed this in a statement on Sunday 7th January 2024.

Mixed reactions have surfaced online of Dr. Betta Edu’s alleged involvement in the authorization of ₦585,198,500 to be transferred into a personal account.

In a leaked memo allegedly endorsed by the minister in charge of Npower, Dr. Betta Edu allegedly directed the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, to pay the sum to the account of one Oniyelu Bridget as grant for vulnerable groups in 4 states.

On the contrary, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein disclosed that although her office received a request from the minister in charge of Npower Dr. Betta Edu to make certain transfers, her office refused to oblige.

Dr. Betta Edu the minister in charge of Npower, said there were plans to mar her reputation, saying that she will never steal public funds.

According to Npower News, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris said, “In light of recent events, the President has directed that a thorough and wholesome investigation be conducted to determine the accuracy and validity of the reported issue."

“The government is determined to reveal the truth as it relates to this incidence, and assures that necessary action will be taken to ensure that any breaches and infractions are spotted and decisively dealt with, in line with the Administration’s commitment to public accountability and due process.”

According to Npower News, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris said "we will keep Nigerians abreast of the situation report of the investigation.

We urge Nigerians to exercise patience as the investigation unfolds. The government is focused on ensuring a fair and transparent process, and the findings will be communicated duly and transparently to the public."

Npower News: Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERA) Calls For Investigation Of Minster In Charge Of Npower Dr. Betta Edu

According to Npower News, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) threats to take legal action against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if Mr President refuses to investigate the alleged transfer of ₦585,000,000 into a personal account by the Minister in charge of Npower Dr. Betta Edu.

Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) made this statement on Sunday 7th January 2024.

Reliable sources had reported that Dr. Betta Edu the minister in charge of Npower, approved the transfer of ₦585,000,000 meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun states into a personal account.

In line with this, Dr. Betta Edu the minister in charge of Npower, emphasized that the transfer went through the right process.

However, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) said that Dr. Betta Edu's action was contrary to Chapter 7, Section 713 of the Federal Government’s Financial Regulations 2009, which states that, ‘Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private account’.

Accordingly, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) pleaded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, and the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to quickly conduct an investigation into the matter.

SERAP said “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP [Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project] shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest”.

Earlier publications have it that the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, said Dr. Betta Edu (the Minster in charge of Npower) was not supposed to transfer ₦585,000,000 into a personal account.

Investigation In Progress Over Alleged Misappropriation Of Funds By The Minster In Charge Of Npower

The Federal Government of Nigeria, has confirmed an ongoing investigation into misappropriation of funds involving the payment of ₦585,189,000 by Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister in charge of Npower. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, assured that the investigation will follow due process.

According to Mr. Bayo Onanuga [the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy], "The investigation is in progress, and subsequent actions will be taken accordingly." The funds, meant for the vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states, was reportedly transferred into a personal account.

This movement of funds caused mixed reactions online even instigating request for the Minster's resignation. A leaked memo that has since gone viral, revealed the Minster in charge of Npower Dr Betta Edu's signature requesting the payment of ₦585,189,000 into a personal account of one Mrs. Bridget Mojisola Oniyelu (Project Accountant). The memo confirmed the transfer into Mrs. Bridget Mojisola Oniyelu's personal account.

Contrary to this, Dr. Betta Edu the Minster in charge of Npower has condemned this allegations calling it 'baseless' and stressing that the transfer of funds went through the right process.

How Minister In Charge Of Npower, Dr. Betta Edu, And Her Team Members Collected Public Funds For Flight Tickets, To Fly From Abuja To Kogi Airport

The Minister in charge of Npower, Dr. Betta Edu in November 2023 approved public funds for flight tickets and airport taxis for the her teams from Abuja to a non existent Airport in Kogi State.

Documents obtained from a reliable source revealed how the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) moved ₦226,188,500 to Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (the ministry in charge of Npower) ahead of Saturday November 11th, 2023 gubernatorial elections.

According to Npower, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted gubernatorial elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa states on Saturday November 11th, 2023.

An analysis of the transfer of the funds showed that ₦72,374,500 was transferred to Kogi State on November 6th, 2023, through the Director of Finance Account, National Social Investment Agency (NSIPA) just 5 days before the gubernatorial election.

The minister in charge of Npower, Dr Betta Edu's advanced team received ₦2,515,000 for Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) for 5 nights, local running at 30% of Duty Tour Allowance (DTA), for flight tickets and airport taxis.

Dr Betta Edu's advanced team members comprising Honourable Thalis Olonite Apalowo (New Public Management (NPM), Grant for Vulnerable Groups (GVG)), Mrs Oniyelu Mojisola Bridget (Project Accountant), Ibrahim Adamu Department of State Services (DSS), Adejumo Olusegun Agbailu (TTL, GVG), Mr Iyanda Abiodun (Protocol Officer), Chime Jessica Ginika (ONPM) and Salami Surajudeen Ojo (Driver) received ₦200,000 for flight ticket and ₦20,000 for airport taxi, amounting to the sum of ₦1,540,000. 

Dr. Betta Edu's main team received ₦2,159,500 for Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) for 5 nights, local running at 30% of Duty Tour Allowance (DTA), for flight tickets and airport taxis. Each of the main teams apart from the minister in charge of Npower Dr. Betta Edu also received ₦200,000 for flight ticket and ₦20,000 for airport taxi. 

The members of the ministers (main) team are Caroline Nelson (SA Strategy), Abdulrasheed Olariwaju (SA Media), Mamman Mohammed Sanusi (SA Protocol), Agbor Smart Edim, Felix A. David (Chief Details) and Ibrahim Adamu DSS (Department of State Services).

Investigations gathered from a reliable source, revealed that while Kogi State airport is non existent, the nearest airport to it is in Akure, Ondo State, which is about 5 hours distance by road. Abuja to Lokoja the capital of Kogi, is about 3 hours by road so commuters often travel from Abuja to Kogi by road. Other airports around Kogi are in Owerri, Imo State, Enugu State and Delta State, but all this airports are farther than Akure from Lokoja.

Npower: Federal Government To Kick Start Recruitment Of Humanitarian Aid Workers Tomorrow Monday 8th January 2024

According to Npower, Npower batch c who intends applying for the Humanitarian Aid Workers job should kindly note that, the online recruitment portal link will be active tomorrow Monday 8th January 2024.

According to Npower, application for the Humanitarian Aid Workers job is free of charge, Npower batch c should avoid making payment to anyone for registration. This Humanitarian Aid Workers job will not only curb unemployment but will improve the ministry's response time and the quality of response to emergency situations going forward. Applicants with skills and experience working in humanitarian crisis situations will have an added advantage.

According to Npower, successful applicants will be employed for 3 months in the first instance, and if the crisis lasts longer than expected, their employment might be extended to six months or 12 months. The Humanitarian Jobs opening of 3 months for new Humanitarian Aid Workers resident in Plateau state will be launched as well.

Npower Batch C Clamours For Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede To Head Npower

Npower batch c cross nationwide are clamouring for the return of Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede to be in charge of Npower.

In a recent publication online, Npower batch c appeals to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to please bring back Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede to anchor Npower.

According to Npower batch c, when Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede was the head of Npower for four years, the Npower Batch A and Npower batch B had a transparent recruitment, shortlisting and selection process without having to know anyone or have connections in the civil service, the Npower batch c beneficiaries also said, Npower payment are been paid directly on a monthly basis without any form of delay nor technical glitches.

Npower was successful under the leadership of Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede because of his dedication, passion and support to build the Nigerian youth and ensured the right set of beneficiaries benefited directly from Npower, until Npower was hijacked by selfish politicians who do not care about the poor and vulnerable masses.

Npower batch C stream 1 and Npower batch c stream 2 have been disorganized especially when it comes to Npower payment to Npower batch c, since Npower was taken over by bad leadership and if the new Npower must see the light of the day under the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) to achieve its goals and objectives, then an experienced, trusted, tested, dedicated, passionate person like Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede should head Npower again, Npower batch c requested.

Npower: Payment Of ₦585,000,000 Into Private Account Of Project Accountant Is Legal – Minister's Aide

Rasheed Zubair, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister in charge of Npower, Dr. Betta Edu, explains that the transfer of ₦585,000,000 into a personal account of the Project Accountant is legal and conforms with civil service regulations.

Dr. Betta Edu the minister in charge of Npower, in a viral memo personally endorsed by her and forwarded to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) requested the payment of funds to the personal account of one Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.

The memo also showed that the disbursement of the ₦585,000,000 grant, meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states, was made into Oniyelu’s personal account.

This has fueled mixed reactions from Nigerian youths online, with many clamouring for the minister’s resignation.

In response to the leaked memo, Rasheed Zubair, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister in charge of Npower, said the disbursement of funds for the vulnerable group followed the right process.

According to Rasheed Zubair, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister in charge of Npower, the disbursement of the grant to the private account of Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola was due to the fact that Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola currently serves as the Project Accountant of Grants for Vulnerable Groups (GVG).

Rasheed Zubair, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister in charge of Npower, said, “It is glaring that the same sponsored disgruntled elements in the past few days have been trying to smear the Honourable Minister, Dr Betta Edu [the minister in charge of Npower], and tarnish her integrity because the minister in charge of Npower, Dr. Betta Edu brought to the notice of the Federal Government, the ongoing ₦44.8 Billion Fraud in the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).

“These disgruntled elements have been trying to link her [the minister in charge of Npower] to a phantom fraud and are behind this latest misadventure. However, this latest vile effort of theirs is another infantile blackmail doomed for evisceration.

“For the avoidance, the said ₦585,000,000 was approved, and it is meant to implement grants to vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states.

“We must note that Grants for Vulnerable Groups (GVG) was first launched in Kogi State, where recipients testified. Akwa Ibom and Cross River were launched in December 2023. Kogi already happened in November, and others will be launched in the coming weeks.

“The general public is invited to note that the Renewed Hope Grant for Vulnerable Groups (RHGVG) is one of the social intervention program of the Federal Government of Nigeria, which the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation [the ministry in charge of Npower] is implementing.

“Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola is the Project Accountant for Grants For Vulnerable Groups (GVG) from the Department of Finance, and it is legal in public service for a staff, the project accountant, to be paid and use the same funds legally and retire the same with all receipts and evidence after the project or programme is completed.”