Reps Order Tinubu to Unfreeze NSIPA’s Accounts Allegedly Linked to Betta Edu, Issue Ultimatum

• The House of Representatives has demanded the unfreezing of all accounts of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA)
• The Green Chamber also urged President Tinubu to order the minister of finance, Wale Edun, to carry out this action within 72 hours
• Legit.ng reported that the accounts were frozen over alleged fraud involving Halima Shehu, the suspended NSIPA national coordinator and chief executive officer, and former ministers Betta Edu and Sadiya Umar-Farouk

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, December 3, directed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mandate Wale Edun, minister of finance, to unfreeze all the accounts of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) within 72 hours.

The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during plenary on Tuesday.

Lawmakers voiced their displeasure, arguing that despite NSIPA's programmes being vital for poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, and economic inclusivity in Nigeria, the agency’s functionality has been hindered by administrative bottlenecks, insufficient funding, and frozen accounts.

Read also

Court overturns suspension of Pro-Fubara federal lawmaker From PDP

The president had ordered a halt of the NSIPA programmes following allegations of financial mismanagement by the overseers. The suspension also led to the freezing of the agency’s accounts.

Reps move to remove bottlenecks in NSIPA’s operations

As reported by The Cable, the House also urged Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, to ensure that all the administrative bottlenecks hindering the smooth operations of all programmes of NSIPA recorded during Betta Edu and Sadiya Farouq's tenure are immediately removed.

The resolutions were reached following the adoption of a motion sponsored by the deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, and 20 other lawmakers.

How Betta Edu was linked to NSIPA's financial fraud

Meanwhile, the National Social Investment Programme Agency earlier dismissed financial misconduct against the former humanitarian affairs and disaster management minister, Betta Edu.

The NSIPA national communications manager, Jamaludeen Kabir, debunked claims linking the minister to mismanagement of funds in NSIPA.

Read also

Sierra Leone anti-corruption commission reclaims $1.5 million from Salim Mansaray

Kabir added that the minister had no involvement in any financial transactions or decisions within NSIPA.

Betta Edu reacts to NSIPA N3bn corruption scandal

Legit.ng earlier reported that Betta Edu also denied having any connection with the alleged N3 billion fraud in the NSIPA.

Edu labelled her involvement in the alleged N30b corruption as false and unfounded.

The minister said fifth columnists who had the intention of tarnishing her well-earned reputation and integrity were responsible for the allegation.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng