In Nigeria, citizens are advocating for a more comprehensive investigation into various poverty eradication schemes that have fallen short of lifting at least 133 million multidimensionally poor citizens, despite billions of naira being invested. The recent probe into past and current officers at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has highlighted the need for a re-evaluation and investigation of these schemes.
Despite claims of the impact of poverty alleviation schemes, the number of impoverished Nigerians continues to climb, with government policies failing to make a significant positive impact. This concern was amplified yesterday as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) broadened its probe into alleged fraud at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. The EFCC questioned CEOs and Managing Directors of several banks, including Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu (Zenith Bank), Haruna Musa (Jaiz Bank), and Walter Akpani (Providus Bank), in connection with an over N44 billion fraud reportedly uncovered in the ministry.
Documents from these banks, related to accounts operated by the humanitarian affairs ministry, were handed over to the EFCC to strengthen the ongoing investigation. The senior bank executives were interrogated at the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja and subsequently released.
The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, is currently detained by the EFCC over a ₦585 million scandal, while Halima Shehu, the embattled Co-ordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) domiciled in the Ministry, is being probed over an alleged ₦44 billion fraud. Additionally, Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, is being questioned over allegations of laundering N37.1 billion during her tenure.
The Guardian learned that a potential lapse in the banks’ duty to flag suspicious activity, mandated by anti-financial crime laws and Central Bank directives, played a crucial role in the misappropriation of public funds.
President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, at The Guardian newspaper’s 40th anniversary in Lagos, highlighted the need for urgent action to end poverty and mismanagement of natural resources in Nigeria and other African countries. He criticized the term “poverty alleviation,” arguing that it implies acceptance of poverty as a condition.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, stated that while the suspension of Edu is commendable, it is insufficient. He pointed out the systemic corruption in poverty alleviation programs under successive APC governments.
According to a report by The Guardian, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, emphasized the need for rational economic management and criticized the current administration for not paying sufficient attention to these issues.
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, expressed support for President Tinubu’s anti-corruption efforts and called for an extensive investigation into the financial recklessness within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Additionally, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) applauded President Tinubu’s decision to suspend Edu and called for a thorough examination of the role and mandate of the Humanitarian ministry to prevent further embarrassment.
The controversy has also engulfed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, linked to a N438 million consultancy contract under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Amidst reports of his presence at the Presidential Villa, the nature of his visit remains unclear.
