Concerned Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria (CCSON) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to make public its findings regarding the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu.
The group made the call in a statement issued Sunday while making reference to the earlier write-up by the Senior Legislative to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Cecelia Ogbeche Odok from Cross Rivers State, who tagged Edu’s trial as witch-hunts.
She further claimed that the suspended minister is clean and should be acquitted of any wrongdoing.
TheHintsNews reports that Edu was suspended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in January following serious allegations of misappropriating funds amounting to N585 million.
This decision came amidst growing scrutiny of her handling of the ministry’s resources, particularly concerning programs designed to alleviate poverty and support vulnerable populations in Nigeria.
The group, however, decried what it termed as disparity between Edu’s case and that of Sheu Halima, the National Coordinator of Social Investment Programme Agency, stressing that it undermines principles of accountability and fairness in governance.
It said: “While we commend the prompt action taken against Halima Shehu, we are dismayed by the presidency’s silence regarding Dr. Betta Edu,.
“This selective accountability sends a troubling message about the commitment of this administration to uphold justice for all Nigerians.”
It therefore called on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action by replacing Edu, saying there was a need for equitable treatment across all regions and the importance of transparency in government actions.
It also urged the EFCC to publicly disclose its findings, asserting that the Nigerian people have a right to know the truth behind these allegations.