Officials in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation have spoken on the alleged return of Betta Edu as Minister
Speculations about the return of Edu as minister garnered social media after she allegedly stages her reinstatement.
DAILY GIST reported that the embattled Minister used the ministry’s letterhead for a condolence message while on suspension.
Recall that a school building collapsed in Jos, Plateau on Friday morning claiming the lives of 22 pupils of Saint Academy.
Edu was reported to have returned to office where she wrote the victims of the Jos building collapse, using the official letterhead of the ministry she oversaw for months before being suspended for alleged graft.
She was suspended in January by President Bola Tinubu over alleged bid to divert N585 million through a private account.
Edu, who denied any wrongdoing, was a guest of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission or EFCC for investigation.
Edu in her condolence message coined as if it’s an official message from the ministry wrote, “It’s with profound grief that I extended my deepest condolences on the tragic collapse of the school building in Jos, Plateau State, which has resulted in the loss of multiple lives and left many survivors grappling with unimaginable pain and suffering.
“May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may the injured receive swift and complete healing.
“Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and all those affected during this incredibly difficult time,” Edu wrote, conveying the ministry’s sympathy.
However, several officials of the ministry who spoke to THE WHISTLER denied she had returned to her position
She has not returned, she can’t try that,” a staff member said under condition of anonymity. “It’s like she doesn’t know the implication of what she just did – writing with official letterhead while on suspension! What audacity! It is wrong.
“The last time she tried to stage a comeback was when she brought some people who said they were prayer warriors into the ministry to pray that she was under spiritual attack.
“We resumed office only to find her and some people praying in the office while the gate to the ministry was locked.
“The permanent secretary called her and warned her not to try that again. Since then, she has not returned,” the staff member said.
Another official said, “It’s a big offence to continue to function when you are under suspension. She’s under suspension, let her wait for clearance before staging a comeback.
“Maybe she forgot it’s a fraud allegation and it’s well documented but someone should tell her to wait.
“I haven’t seen or heard she has returned to the office although I read she wrote to the victims of the school building collapse in Jos, I don’t know why she would do that.”
