Nigerian poverty minister suspended over diversion of public money into a personal bank account.

Nigeria’s president has suspended a minister over the alleged diversion of more than 585 million naira equivalent to 7,619,233.10, ($640,000; £500,000) of public money into a personal bank account.Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Betta Edu was suspended on Monday following public outrage over the scandal.

A statement from President Bola Tinubu’s office said he had ordered an investigation into Dr Edu’s ministry.
Dr Edu has denied any wrongdoing. Her office said she had approved the transfer into a personal account, which was not in her name, but said it was for the “implementation of grants to vulnerable groups”. Dr Edu, 37, is the youngest minister in President Tinubu’s cabinet and is seen as a close ally of the president. The suspension of a minister is a rare occurrence in Nigeria – Dr Edu is the first to lose their job since President Tinubu’s took office in May last year. His predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, sacked only two ministers during his eight-year tenure.