Anger trails Beta Edu’s presence around First Lady amid EFCC’s abandoned N585.189 million scandal

The former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Beta Edu’s re-launch of her presence around the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinuhu has stoked a worrisome reaction as interest group demanded conclusion of investigation and prosecution.

The ex-Minister was suspended from office by the late President Muhammadu Buhari over alleged embezzlement of N585.189 million
fund meant for grants to vulnerable groups in several Nigerian states.

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The fund was lodged in private Bank account, thereby raising suspicion of money laundering and embezzlement which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was drafted into the case for investigation and prosecution.

CAPITAL POST recalled that the anti-graft agency launched into the Ministry’s financial transactions targeting about 50 bank accounts of the agency, where funds in the bracket of billions were recovered and redirected into the Federal Government coffers.

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This is even as a coalition of civil society organisations fears that she will be shielded from investigation and prosecution if she continue to hang around Mrs Oluremi Tinubu which obviously was against fight against corruption.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the groups, led by the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiatives (EUYI), expressed deep concern and urged the EFCC to conclude what they started to avoid suspicion of selective justice.

Addressing the matter at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, the Convener of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups, Chief Kennedy Tabuko, and the Co-Convener of the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiatives, Danesi Momoh, condemned Beta Edu’s visibility around the presidency corridor when she was supposed to be facing prosecution in Court.

They further argue that such associations send the wrong signal to the public, wondering how the EFCC could abandoned such a high profile matter midway.

The coalition demanded that the EFCC should released the report of its investigations into the alleged diversion of public funds that shook the country in 2024, for prosecution and public scrutiny.

They tasked the FG to prove them wrong its body language indicates that the fight against corruption was being slowed down because some ‘persons of interest’ are involved in corruption, warning that the country’s public image was being damaged.

Reading from a prepared statement, Tabuko said the development reflects what many Nigerians now fear, that accountability in public office may be gradually losing its meaning.

According to the Coalition, “Body language matters in leadership. When public figures facing unresolved allegations are seen prominently around the corridors of power, citizens begin to question whether accountability truly applies equally to everyone.”

EUYI said, “It has been brought to our attention how the sacked minister lobbies her way through to appear and attend so many serious government programmes both at state and federal level. This must stop henceforth because this singular act is rebranding our nation as a corrupt country and one without consequences for wrong acts.

According to the convener, “Nigerians are watching closely. The concern is not merely about Beta Edu as an individual, but about the message being communicated to the public when a former public official under investigation appears to be making a rapid return to the centre of political influence.”

The coalition further criticised the EFCC for failing to make its investigative findings public after more than two years since the initial suspension. They accused the anti-graft agency of selective transparency, arguing that the public deserves a clear update on high-profile probes just as quickly as lesser offenses are prosecuted.

In a dramatic turn, the coalition issued a five-day ultimatum to the EFCC to publicly clarify the status of investigations linked to the former minister, or risk nationwide protests within the confines of the law.

“This is because , continued silence from relevant authorities could deepen public distrust in the government’s anti-corruption posture. It is important for institutions to demonstrate that investigations are being handled transparently and without political considerations.”

The coalition also criticised what it described as attempts to “rebrand” the former minister politically while investigations are yet to be publicly concluded.

”Going forward, we will vehemently resist any attempt to take Nigerians for granted. Again, we want to unequivocally sound this warning to the President and Commander in-Chief and all the anti-corruption related agencies that if Nigerians are not abreast with the findings of all corruption cases against Beta Edu within five days, we will take to the street to demand it.

The coalition demanded for transparency, accountability and equal treatment of all Nigerians, irrespective of whose ox is gored.

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