Accountant-general of the federation (AGF) Oluwatoyin Madein has said she did not honour the request of the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation Betta Edu to pay N585 million into a private account.
Reports alleged that last December, Ms Edu wrote Madein, demanding that N585 million earmarked to reduce poverty of vulnerable citizens in Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, Lagos, and Ogun states be paid into the UBA account — 2003682151— of one Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola.
Reacting to the reports, the minister said the said amount was approved.
Her media assistant Rasheed Zubair, in a statement, said that it was legal within the civil service for such payments to be made into private accounts of staff, especially project accountants.
The AGF, however, said her office does not make payments on behalf of MDAs.
Betta Edu accused of using private account to receive N585m public fund
Oyedepo prayed for me at Shiloh 2022 to become minister — Betta Edu
The AGF’s statement on Saturday signed by Jacob Mokwa said, “…the AGF explained that although her office received the said request from the ministry, it did not carry out the payment. The ministry was, however, advised on the appropriate steps to take in making such payments in line with the established payment procedure.
“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.”
