The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) expresses its commendation to President Bola Tinubu for taking decisive action in suspending all Social Investment Programmes administered by the National Social Investment Programme Agency.
Deeming this decision is a commendable step in the ongoing fight against corruption. HEDA, in an official statement endorsed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, applauds President Tinubu’s bold move and underscores its importance in combating corruption.
Additionally, the anti-corruption group sees the decision as a supportive measure for the existing investigations into alleged malfeasance within the agency and its programs.
The National Social Investment Programme Agency has been under scrutiny since the suspension of its Chief Executive Officer, Halima Shehu. The focus of the investigation is the reported laundering of N37.1 billion within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, under the former Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouq.
Suraju adds, “President Tinubu’s suspension of Farouq’s successor, Betta Edu, who is also being questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, adds another layer to the ongoing probe.”
Edu, the suspended Minister, is alleged to have directed the transfer of N585 million to a private account owned by Oniyelu Bridget, identified as the Project Accountant for Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
“As a Civil Society organization, HEDA Resource Centre calls upon the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to initiate an investigation into the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Ojo, who has been alleged to be implicated in the N585 million scam.
The statement further asserts, “Nigerians need to be informed about the allegation that the Edu-led ministry awarded a consultancy contract worth N438 million to New Plant Projects Limited for the National Social Registered to New New Plant Projects Limited, a company linked to the scandal.”