The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, has raised serious concerns over the alleged disbursement of N585,189,500.00 into a personal account, questioning the actions of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu.
The controversy unfolded with the revelation of a viral document personally signed by Minister Betta Edu and directed to the Office of the AGF, instructing the payment of the substantial funds to one Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola. The document indicated that the payment, intended for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states, was deposited into Oniyelu's personal account.
In response to the leaked document, Rasheed Zubair, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Minister Betta Edu, defended the transaction, claiming that the payment followed due process. Zubair explained that Oniyelu Bridget currently serves as the Project Accountant of Grants for Vulnerable Groups, justifying the payment into her account.
Contrary to this, the AGF, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, disowned the entire process, stating that it was not her responsibility to make payments for projects and programs on behalf of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). In a statement released by Bawa Mokwa, the Director of Press at the OAGF, Madein emphasized that allocations were released to self-accounting MDAs in line with the budget, and it was their responsibility to implement projects and process payments.
The AGF clarified that while her office received the payment request from the Ministry, it did not carry out the transaction. Instead, the Ministry was advised on the appropriate steps to adhere to established payment procedures. Madein stressed that in such situations, payments are typically processed by the affected Ministries as self-accounting entities, and no bulk payment should be made to an individual's account, especially in the name of a Project Accountant.
Furthermore, the AGF emphasized the importance of sending such payments directly to the beneficiaries through their verified bank accounts, reiterating her commitment to accountability and transparency in the management of public finances. She urged MDAs to consistently follow the necessary steps in conducting financial transactions.
As this controversy continues to unfold, questions arise about the proper channels for fund disbursement, with stakeholders eagerly awaiting further developments in this complex and sensitive matter.
