The approval was contained in a leaked internal memo dated November 6, 2023.
The memo issued by the National Programme Manager, requesting the total sum of N72,374,500, was titled: ‘The Disbursement Under the 2023 Grant for Vulnerable Groups Programmes in Kogi State, 2023’, was approved by the minister.
In the memo, the money was appropriated for the minister’s “advanced team” to travel by air for an “event” in Kogi.
Each of the minister’s “advanced team” members, including aides, received the sum of N200,000 for flight tickets, N20,000 for airport taxi, and local running expenses and DTA depending on grade level, all amounting to N72,374,500.
The sum of N300,000 was earmarked for the minister’s air ticket.
However, Kogi has no airport anywhere in the state.
In November 2020, Yahaya Bello, Kogi governor, met with then-President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock, seeking the establishment of an airport in the state.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Bello said he asked Buhari to ensure that Kogi got funds for the airport.
“I paid a visit to the president to brief him about the confluence state, the development and challenges we are facing and also to convey a message form the people of Kogi state that the social bond between the government and the governed is still very strong,” he said.
On Saturday, the Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), asked President Bola Tinubu to commence disciplinary proceedings against Edu, saying the minister’s action is a “serious procurement and fiscal malfeasance that attracts serious penalties”.
