In response to reports suggesting his involvement in a N438.1m consultancy contract between New Planet Project Limited and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
The reports indicated that the company, allegedly owned by the Minister of Interior, received the sum as consultancy fees from Minister Betta Edu for the National Social Register contract. Speaking on Channels TV Politics Today on Monday night, Tunji-Ojo clarified that he founded the company a decade ago but resigned from directorship in 2019 when he contested in the House of Representatives poll.
Expressing his shock at the allegations, Tunji-Ojo emphasized that he had not been involved in the day-to-day operations of New Planet Project Limited. He provided evidence of his resignation, stating, “I have to say this, I saw it and I was shocked because the company in question was a company where I was the director. About five years ago, I had resigned my directorship. Yes, I founded the company 10 years ago. In 2019 when I got to the House of Representatives, when I won the election precisely, I resigned. I resigned 4th of February 2019 with a Certified True Copy of Corporate Affairs Commission as far back as 2019 to prove this.”
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to launch a full-blown investigation into the finances of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Tinubu handed down the directive in a statement on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, who also announced the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, over the N585m scandal in the ministry.
The statement was titled ‘President Tinubu suspends Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation from office.’
Edu’s suspension was happening as her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, was grilled for about 12 hours by the EFCC detectives over the ongoing probe into the N37.1bn allegedly laundered during her tenure in office, through a contractor, James Okwete.
The ex-minister was questioned from 11am to 11pm by investigators seeking information on how the huge sum was allegedly laundered by top officials who served under her.
Data from the Budget Office indicate that the ministry, erstwhile known as Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, had a N2.38tn budget from 2020 to 2024.
In compliance with the presidential directive, the EFCC has also summoned Edu to appear before its detectives on Tuesday (today).
Ngelale in the statement said the President directed the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as the agencies under it.
Furthermore, the President tasked a panel headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to conduct a comprehensive diagnostic of the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes.
This was aimed at reforming the relevant institutions and programmes in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence in the initiative.
In a notable incident captured by TVC News, the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, over the N585m scandal vehicle was denied access to the State House, symbolizing the gravity of the unfolding events. Security operatives directed her convoy to turn back, refusing entry into the Presidential Villa.
A reliable source disclosed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission intervened between July and August 2023, intercepting a significant N32bn that was on the verge of being stolen from the humanitarian affairs ministry. The intercepted funds were subsequently handed over to the Federal Government.
While this transpired, the immediate past minister in the ministry, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, underwent an extensive questioning session with investigators over the alleged N37bn money laundering. As of 7 pm on Monday, she was still engaged in providing information to investigators at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
Umar-Farouq, recognizing the gravity of the situation, took to Twitter at about 10:20 am, stating, “I have, at my behest, arrived at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency to offer clarifications in respect of some issues that the commission is investigating.”
Citing health challenges, she had previously officially written to the EFCC, seeking an extension of the deadline to meet with interrogators. This extension request aims to provide a comprehensive account of the alleged monumental fraud that occurred under her supervision during her tenure in the ministry.
President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to investigate all financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The directive follows the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu, who was in charge of the ministry, on Monday.
In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu emphasized his commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in managing Nigeria’s resources.
The President’s directive includes a comprehensive investigation into financial transactions of agencies under the Ministry. Dr. Edu, who faced criticism after a leaked memo revealed questionable fund transfers, is instructed to hand over her responsibilities to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Additionally, Tinubu has tasked a panel, headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, with conducting a thorough diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of social investment programs. The goal is to implement reforms that address institutional shortcomings, ensuring the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and restoring public confidence in the initiative.
The directives take immediate effect as part of Tinubu’s commitment to upholding the principles of integrity and accountability in government affairs.
In a decisive move, President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office, effective immediately.
The suspension, as conveyed by Tinubu’s media aide, Ajuri Ngelale on Monday, is in alignment with the President’s commitment to upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s resources.
The President has directed the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to initiate a thorough investigation into all financial transactions related to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, along with associated agencies.
Dr. Edu, during her suspension, is required to hand over responsibilities to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and fully cooperate with the investigating authorities.
Additionally, President Tinubu has established a panel, led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, tasked with conducting a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of social investment programs.
The objective is to enact reforms that address institutional shortcomings, exclusively benefiting disadvantaged households and restoring public confidence in the initiative.
These directives take immediate effect, signaling a commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in government affairs.
Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, has reported to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for interrogation regarding an ongoing probe into the alleged laundering of ₦37,170,855,753.44 during her tenure. The funds are said to have been funneled through a contractor, James Okwete.
Umar-Farouq’s arrival at the EFCC headquarters was confirmed around 10 am on Monday. Earlier, she had formally written to the EFCC, citing health challenges and seeking an extension of the deadline for her appearance.
“I have, at my behest, arrived at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency to offer clarifications in respect of some issues that the commission is investigating,” Umar-Farouq tweeted on Monday morning.
The former minister faced the possibility of arrest after failing to appear on the initially scheduled date. The EFCC, in response to her plea for more time, mandated her to submit herself without further delay.
Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the EFCC, confirmed that Umar-Farouq’s legal representative had met with interrogators, but emphasized that the commission expects her presence for further questioning. Ongoing investigations into the alleged fraud involve tracing transactions related to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
The EFCC had earlier arrested James Okwete, the contractor implicated in the case. Sources indicate that Okwete has provided crucial information linking Umar-Farouq and former directors-general of the ministry to the financial misappropriation.
It has been revealed that the laundered funds, totaling ₦37.1bn, were transferred to 38 bank accounts held in five legacy commercial banks linked to Okwete. Transactions included transfers to Bureau De Change Operators, cash withdrawals, purchase of luxury cars, and acquisition of properties in Abuja and Enugu State.
The investigation also disclosed that Okwete had 53 companies connected to him, with 47 of these firms securing Federal Government contracts amounting to ₦27,423,824,339.86. The contractor is associated with 143 bank accounts in 12 commercial banks.
Umar-Farouq, appointed as the youngest cabinet member by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2019, is not the sole focus of the investigation. Three other former ministers are reportedly under probe for graft estimated at ₦150bn.
The EFCC has affirmed its commitment to unraveling the details of the financial misappropriation, stating, “We are still tracing all the transactions, hence we cannot put a figure to everything now as investigation is still ongoing.”
In a recent development, the Supreme Court has upheld the election of Hyacinth Alia as the governor of Benue state, dismissing the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Titus Uba.
Both the governorship election petition tribunal and the court of appeal had previously affirmed Alia’s victory.
Despite the PDP’s dissatisfaction with the earlier judgments, the Supreme Court’s decision has now settled the matter.
Hyacinth Alia, a Catholic priest, had received a certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Faruk Kuta, Alia, the APC candidate, secured 473,933 votes, defeating Titus Uba of the PDP, who garnered 223,914 votes in the Benue governorship election.
In response to the challenges posed by the “Japa” syndrome (brain drain) affecting the healthcare sector, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre in Ebute Metta, Lagos, Dr. Adedamola Dada, outlines proactive measures. The hospital is actively encouraging retired specialists, creating an enabling environment to retain existing staff, and recruiting new personnel to address resignations.
Despite acknowledging the impact of brain drain, Dr. Dada emphasizes that the hospital has designed programs to ensure continuity and minimize disruptions in patient care. The utilization of retired specialists, who are still active and skilled, has been a key strategy in maintaining service levels.
Addressing the cost of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment, Dr. Dada suggests that increasing the volume of patients seeking IVF services can potentially reduce costs. The hospital aims to contribute to this by treating a significant number of patients, leveraging economies of scale to obtain consumables at a better rate and, consequently, reducing the overall cost of IVF.
Discussing the broader issue of quackery in healthcare, Dr. Dada highlights the importance of creating access to healthcare through national health insurance. He emphasizes that once access is improved, fewer individuals will resort to untrained practitioners, reducing complications and improving overall healthcare outcomes.
Regarding the prediction of losing 50% of healthcare workers by 2025, Dr. Dada expresses confidence in the ability to address the challenge by improving the economic environment, remuneration, and creating strategic advantages to retain healthcare professionals. He believes in focusing on the positive aspects and improving the overall economy to retain skilled workers.
Reflecting on his six years as the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Dada notes the transformation of the Federal Medical Centre into an efficient public health institution. The hospital has expanded its facilities, increased bed capacity, and enhanced the quality of services. Challenges, including human resources and infrastructure development, were addressed through strategic planning and technological advancements.
Despite facing challenges in phases, Dr. Dada remains optimistic about the future and the hospital’s continued growth. The recent commissioning of a new building further expands the hospital’s capacity, enabling it to offer additional services, such as IVF and ophthalmology, to meet the healthcare needs of the community.
As healthcare institutions grapple with various challenges, proactive measures and strategic planning, as exemplified by the Federal Medical Centre in Lagos, play a crucial role in ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services.
Lawmakers in Nigeria have allocated an additional N30 billion (approximately $71 million) for the ongoing renovation of the National Assembly Complex in the 2024 Appropriation Bill.
This comes on top of the initial budget, bringing the total amount spent on the renovation to N60 billion. The N344.85 billion budgeted for the National Assembly is the highest ever allocated to the legislature.
The delay in completing the renovation has been attributed to fluctuations in the value of the naira against the US dollar, hampering the importation of materials and equipment.
Critics express concern over the increased budget for renovation, calling for transparency and accountability in public spending.
The decision to allocate more funds to the renovation project has raised eyebrows, especially as Nigeria faces economic challenges and essential sectors require substantial investment.
Critics argue that prioritizing such a project amidst pressing needs in health, education, and infrastructure may not align with the broader interests of the citizens.
The National Assembly’s role in overseeing government spending has also been questioned, emphasizing the need for accountability and responsible allocation of resources.
As the debate over public spending continues, stakeholders urge policymakers to consider the nation’s overall development priorities and allocate resources judiciously.
Transparency and effective oversight mechanisms are crucial to ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and effectively for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
The Nigerian naira has experienced a 38.9% depreciation against the US dollar in the past three months, falling from N745.19/$ on October 3, 2023, to N1035.12/$ as of January 3, 2024, at the official Investors and Exporters (I&E) window of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
This continuous decline has raised concerns among manufacturers and the organized private sector, with fears that companies may scale down operations, leading to worker layoffs.
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), and the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists expressed worries over the negative impact of the falling naira on their members. The naira’s volatility persists despite government efforts to enhance foreign exchange (FX) market liquidity, including clearing FX backlogs and receiving a $2.25 billion support facility from the African Import-Export Bank.
The naira’s decline is seen as a potential threat to economic stability, with fears that more companies may shut down or downsize operations. Manufacturers have intensified calls for the Central Bank to address the ongoing forex scarcity and provide a lasting solution to the crisis. The organized private sector urges prioritized forex and credit allocation to manufacturers, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy to stabilize the foreign exchange market.
Concerns grow as the naira’s value remains under pressure, impacting businesses that heavily rely on imported materials and contributing to a challenging operating environment. The depreciation raises questions about the effectiveness of recent interventions and highlights the urgency of addressing structural issues in Nigeria’s economy to attract foreign investments and stabilize the forex market.
The World Bank has recommended measures such as controlling inflation, stabilizing the foreign exchange market, removing import restrictions, improving infrastructure, and pursuing clear, consistent trade policies to boost economic growth. As the manufacturing sector faces uncertainties, stakeholders call for concerted efforts to address the root causes of the forex challenges and ensure a more sustainable and resilient economic environment.
