The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to its headquarters in Abuja.
The invitation was said to have been served on her less than 30 minutes after the President, Bola Tinubu announced her immediate suspension from office through his Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
An operative of the EFCC, who confirmed the development, said the anti-graft agency had earlier recommended the immediate suspension of the Minister in order to allow it investigate her ministry,which was ordered by the President.
It was learnt that the commission immediately swung into action as soon as the President ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged payment of N585.189 million grant meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states into a private account.
“Our investigation into the alleged payment won’t be thorough if we didn’t recommend the Minister’s suspension. Her suspension will give us liberty to do our job thoroughly as directed by the President.
“An official invitation by the commission has already been sent to her. We expect her to honour the invitation to give proper insight into the issue at hand. So, we expect her to arrive here anytime soon,” the EFCC official told Daily Trust.
The spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comment on the development.
Civil Society Organisations, activists lawyers, opposition political parties had earlier called for her sack, since the alleged mismanagement was reported.