Ex-Minister Sadiya Faces EFCC Probe Over Alleged N37 Billion Fraud
0
0
Ex-Minister Sadiya Faces EFCC Probe Over Alleged N37 Billion Fraud
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, is set to face the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday over alleged fraud amounting to N37 billion, INCNews247 has gathered.
The investigation stems from her six-year tenure, focusing on the alleged laundering of N37,170,855,753.44 through contractor James Okwete.
According to EFCC officials, Umar-Farouq was summoned to appear at the agency’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, at 10:00 am, with other ministry officials also invited on separate days to shed light on the ministry’s operations during the last six years.
READ ALSO: Quit Politics Now — Adeyanju Tasks Atiku
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of Halima Shehu, CEO and National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).
Akindele Egbuwalo, the national N-Power program manager, will act in her place pending an investigation into NSIPA’s efficiency and effectiveness.
While the reason for Shehu’s suspension remains undisclosed, an EFCC official hinted that she also faces questions from the anti-graft agency. The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, did not confirm the situation but promised to provide information later.
In response to the allegations, former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq denied involvement in fraudulent activities, stating that James Okwete, the implicated contractor, had no connection to her.
She expressed readiness to defend her actions and stewardship during her tenure, emphasizing her commitment to serving Nigeria responsibly.
Despite attempts to reach the former minister for comments on her scheduled appearance at the EFCC office, calls to her known telephone line were unsuccessful, and she did not respond to text and WhatsApp messages as of press time.
