By Halimah Olamide
Nigerians are demanding explanations from the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu after a leaked document shows she authorised the payment of over N500m into a private account in December.
Said to be for some “Vulnerable Groups” in Ogun, Akwa Ibom and other states, the payment was made by the office of the Accountant General into UBA account belong to one Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.
Sahara Reporters quoted a letter from the minister with reference number: FMHAPA/HQ/OHM/S.208 to the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Madein dated December 20, 2023, asked that over N585 million should be sent to a private account.
The letter signed by the minister, Dr Edu, is titled ‘Mandate for Payment of Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos and Ogun States Respectively’.
It reads, “I hereby approve the payment of the cumulative sum of five hundred and eighty-five million, one hundred and eighty-nine thousand, five hundred naira (N585,189,500.00). These are payments for programmes and activities of the Renewed Hope Grant for Vulnerable Groups.”
The details show that N219,429,750.00 was for 2023 Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Akwa Ibom State; N73,828,750.00 was for 2023 Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Cross River State; N219,462,250.00 was for 2023 Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Lagos State while N72,468,750.00 was for 2023 Grant for Vulnerable Groups in Ogun State.
The letter said the payment of N585,189,500.00 –the total sum – should be made to a UBA account: 2003682151 belonging to Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.
“This payment should be made from the National Social Investment Officer account with account number: 0020208461037 to the Project Accountant’s details listed above,” it added.
Sources told SaharaReporters that a system that allows the Accountant General of the Federation to send public funds into private accounts based on requests by ministers encourages corruption.
Already, the revelation is generating outrage on the internet coming at the same time President Bola Tinubu days ago suspended the boss of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, Ms Halimah Shehu from office over alleged financial impropriety.