Npower News: Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERA) Calls For Investigation Of Minster In Charge Of Npower Dr. Betta Edu

According to Npower News, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) threats to take legal action against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if Mr President refuses to investigate the alleged transfer of ₦585,000,000 into a personal account by the Minister in charge of Npower Dr. Betta Edu.

Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) made this statement on Sunday 7th January 2024.

Reliable sources had reported that Dr. Betta Edu the minister in charge of Npower, approved the transfer of ₦585,000,000 meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun states into a personal account.

In line with this, Dr. Betta Edu the minister in charge of Npower, emphasized that the transfer went through the right process.

However, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) said that Dr. Betta Edu's action was contrary to Chapter 7, Section 713 of the Federal Government’s Financial Regulations 2009, which states that, ‘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, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) pleaded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, and the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to quickly conduct an investigation into the matter.

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

Earlier publications have it that the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, said Dr. Betta Edu (the Minster in charge of Npower) was not supposed to transfer ₦585,000,000 into a personal account.