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Betta Edu: Ohanaeze Youths Caution Nigerians Against Media Trial, Says Suspended Minister Deserves Fair Hearing

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The youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Igbo sociocultural association, has cautioned Nigerians against the media trial of Betta Edu, the suspended minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation.

Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on January 8, suspended Edu as the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation after a memo surfaced wherein she asked Oluwatoyin Madein, accountant-general of the federation, to transfer N585 million to a private account.

The president also directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) “to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transaction” involving Edu’s ministry.

Speaking during a press conference on Sunday, Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, leader of the association, commended Tinubu for setting up a panel to investigate the case rather than “sacking her outrightly”.

Okpalaezeukwu said the suspended minister should be given the benefit of the doubt until proven guilty.

“We also thank him for setting up a presidential panel to investigate the veracity of the allegations instead of sacking her outright,” the Ohanaeze youth leader said.

“Consequently, we hereby wish to rally support for the suspended minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Dr Edu, by calling on Nigerians to allow her a fair hearing and let the ongoing investigation run its course without media trial.

“Nigerians should give her the benefit of the doubt until the series of investigations into her involvement in the alleged N583m financial wrongdoing have proved her to be complicit.

“Judging by the actions of some persons in the media, it is obvious that there is too much media trial around Dr Edu and those who wanted her out of favour with the Federal Government are sustaining the spins to her disadvantage.

“Media trial is unfair. An allegation has been levelled against her, and President Bola Tinubu, in his wisdom, had suspended her to allow for a transparent and unimpeded investigation. The best thing to do in the circumstance is to allow the process of investigation to conclude instead of crucifying her as if she had been found to be guilty.

“There is the need to find what the problem really was about the memo she put up to the Accountant General of the Federation, although, the Accountant General had said that she did not honour the payment.”

Okpalaezeukwu said if after the investigation, Edu is vindicated, the president would be urged to reconsider her appointment to continue as a minister.

“We are of the view that Nigerians should hold their peace during the pendency of the series of investigations, which we believe would either prove or disprove wrongdoing,” he added.

“If it is confirmed in the long run that she had committed some administrative infractions and not necessarily monetary diversion, we shall very well urge President Bola Tinubu to review her suspension and allow her to continue as a member of his cabinet.

“Betta was entrusted with a ministry as huge as humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation and everyone can attest to the fact that she remains one of the best in the Tinubu-led Government, We must be careful not to throw away the baby with the bathwater.”

BIG STORY

Oil Cabal Fought Back After Subsidy Removal — But Tinubu Didn’t Budge — VP Shettima

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Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu stood firm against pressures from oil sector cabals after the removal of petrol subsidy.

Shettima made this known on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the newly elected executives of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) at the presidential villa.

The group was led by NACCIMA’s national president, Jani Ibrahim, according to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, spokesperson to the vice-president.

Shettima described the subsidy removal as long overdue, calling it a burden previous administrations could not handle.

“I want to assure you that the current administration is your own because the President speaks your language – the language of commerce,” he said.

He explained that the President understands the business environment, having worked as the financial controller at Mobil.

“And he (the President) has taken some bold initiatives. For instance, while fuel subsidy had been an albatross around the neck of successive administrations, he had the courage and the conviction to withdraw fuel subsidy.

“And we know the consequence of unveiling a masquerade. The oil cabal is richer than the Nigerian nation; they fought back, but he (President Tinubu) refused to budge.”

Shettima emphasized that the President stood his ground because his actions were in the “best interest of Nigerians”.

He reaffirmed the administration’s support for businesses and emphasized the importance of the private sector in achieving national development goals.

“This is how great nations build; this is how Korea became what it is,” he said.

Jani Ibrahim, speaking as the new NACCIMA president and OPS chairman, said he assumed office a month ago.

He praised Shettima for his leadership of critical economic institutions like the national economic council (NEC), National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

Ibrahim called for regular dialogue between the OPS and the vice-president’s office, proposing bi-annual meetings.

He also recommended including private sector representatives in technical and policy councils of the government.

On May 29, President Bola Tinubu officially announced the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Three months after, TheCable reported that the President was weighing the idea of a “temporary subsidy” on petrol due to rising crude oil prices and foreign exchange rates.

Though the federal government repeatedly denied any reintroduction of subsidy, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited stated on August 19 that it was owed N7.8 trillion for under-recovery.

Nigeria completely ended subsidy payments in October 2024 following the deregulation of the downstream sector, which saw petrol prices at NNPC retail outlets exceed N1,000 per litre in line with market rates.

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BIG STORY

BREAKING: Humanitarian Minister, Nentawe, Emerges APC National Chairman

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The National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress has appointed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Yilwatda Nentawe, as the party’s substantive chairman.

Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State and chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, moved the motion during the ongoing 14th Committee meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

The motion was supported by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

The minister was sworn in immediately after.

 

More to come…

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BIG STORY

EFCC Declares 28-Yr-Old Woman Wanted Over Alleged Fraud, Theft

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared Oyinkansola Folashade Okanlawon, aged 28, wanted over alleged involvement in fraud and the illegal acquisition of funds.

The announcement was made through the Commission’s official X handle, stating that Okanlawon is being sought for reportedly obtaining money through false pretence and theft.

The notice reads: “The public is hereby notified that OYINKANSOLA FOLASHADE OKANLAWON, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the EFCC in an alleged case of Stealing and Obtaining Money by False Pretence.

“She is 28 years old and a native of Ipokia LGA in Ogun State. Her last known address is 21 Hammed-Kasumu Street, Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos.

“Anybody with useful information as to her whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: [email protected] or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.”

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