The President directed the suspended minister to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and “fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation”.

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, announced the minister’s suspension in a statement on Monday afternoon.

Controversy had enveloped Edu’s alleged involvement in the approval of N585,198,500.00 to be disbursed into a personal account.

In a letter allegedly signed by the humanitarian minister, she allegedly instructed the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer the sum to the account of one Oniyelu Bridget as grants for vulnerable groups in four states.

However, Madein explained that although her office received a request from the humanitarian ministry to make certain payments, her office did not act on it.

Betta Edu, aged 37, is the youngest in the President’s cabinet before her suspension, subsequently said there were plans to tarnish her image, adding that she won’t embezzle government funds.