Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, has criticized Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu, urging her to refrain from insulting Nigerians amid allegations of a N585 million scandal.
Quest Times reports that the controversy centres around a leaked memo instructing the transfer of funds to a private account, raising questions about due process.
Falana in a statement on Sunday, highlighted the Minister’s failure to deny approving the payment, which violates established rules and laws.
Despite the Minister dismissing the claims as fabricated, Falana stressed the importance of accountability and urged her to apologize.
While commending the Accountant-General for preventing the diversion of funds, Falana emphasized the completed offense based on the leaked memo.
He called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite its investigation and bring indicted individuals to court promptly.
“Having regard to the facts and circumstances of this extremely embarrassing drama, we commend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the recovery of the sum of N37 billion meant for vulnerable people in Nigeria,” he stated.
Notably, the scandal involves the alleged diversion of N585.18 million intended for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, and Ogun States.
Conclusively, Falana underscored the need for legal action to uphold transparency and combat corruption in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.