The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, has confirmed that is true the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betty Edu, requested her to pay ₦585.198 million into a private account.
The AGF, who confirmed that the Humanitarian Minister requested her to pay the money into a personal account of a certain Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, however further confirmed dishonouring Edu’s request.
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According to Betty Edu’s request, contained in a letter referenced: FMHAPA/HQ/S.208 and dated December 20, 2023, the payment was meant for grants to vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states.
However, the AGF, in a statement by the Director of Press, Mr. Bawa Mokwa on Saturday, said she did not honour the request because it is not her responsibility to make payments for projects and programmes on behalf of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
She stated that allocations are released to self-accounting MDAs in line with the budget and such MDAs are responsible for the implementation of their projects and payments for such projects.
The AGF explained that although her Office received the said request from the Ministry, it did not carry out the payment.
The AGF noted that in such situations, payments are usually processed by the affected ministries as self-accounting entities. And no bulk payment is supposed to be made to an individual’s account in the name of the Project Accountant.
She added that such payment should be sent to the beneficiaries through their verified bank accounts.
Dr. Madein reiterated her determination to uphold the principles of accountability and transparency in the management of public finances.
She advised MDAs to always ensure that the requisite steps are taken in carrying out financial transactions.
