President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has refused to grant access to the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.

The minister’s vehicle was turned back from the presidential villa in Abuja.

President Tinubu gave his approval for Edu’s immediate suspension earlier on Monday.

Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesman, made this announcement in a statement.

The statement reads in full: “In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect.

“The President further directs the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.

“The suspended Minister is hereby directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and she is further directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.

Also, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has invited the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to its headquarters located in Jabi, Abuja over an alleged N585m scandal.

The invitation is coming less than an hour after President Bola Tinubu announced Edu’s suspension from office through the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

An impeccable EFCC source, who confirmed the development to our correspondent, revealed that the anti-graft agency’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had earlier recommended the suspension of the Minister to the President to pave the way for proper investigation.

the commission swung into action immediately after the President ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged payment of N585.189 million grant meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states into a private account.

“We have invited the suspended Minister, Betta Edu. The invitation letter was sent to her immediately after her suspension was announced by the President. We’re are expecting her at the headquarters any moment from now,” the source noted.