N585m Scandal: SERAP Threatens Legal Action If Tinubu Fails To Probe Betta Edu

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a threat to sue President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if he does not initiate an investigation into the purported payment of N585,189,500.00 into a private account linked to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.

Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of SERAP, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

It had been reported that Betta Edu confirmed disbursing N585,189,500.00 meant for vulnerable people in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun states into a private account.

However, Edu insisted that the payment followed due process.

Meanwhile, SERAP said that the minister’s action was against Chapter 7, Section 713 of the Federal Government’s Financial Regulations 2009, which notes, ‘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, SERAP urged Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly and thoroughly conduct a probe.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest”.

Recall that Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, said Edu was not supposed to make N585,198,500.00 into a private account.