A new report has revealed how a conflict between Betta Edu and Halima Shehu within Nigeria’s Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry brought to light alleged fraudulent activities.
According to insider sources, the recent suspension of Shehu, the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) CEO, over allegations of siphoning a substantial N40 billion from the agency’s funds, kickstarted controversy.
The rift was said to be a power struggle between Minister Edu and Shehu due to disagreements over operational control and financial oversight.
Sources revealed that Edu, suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, made unauthorized withdrawals from NSIPA’s accounts without Shehu’s consent, leading to a breakdown in their working relationship.
In response, Shehu purportedly took drastic measures by relocating the remaining funds from accounts accessible to Edu to those under her control.
She reportedly disclosed the actions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when the anti-graft commission was probing her.
“Typically, the minister is a signatory to the NSIPA account, but she makes withdrawals without letting the NSIPA head know,” the source said.
“Shehu got angry over that, and the only way she thought she could still retain control over her agency was to transfer the remaining balance out of the accounts that Edu had access to.
“She has disclosed to the EFCC the three accounts where she moved the money to,” a source told The Cable.
