N37bn Fraud: Buhari’s Ex-Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, Gets EFCC Invitation

N37bn Fraud: Buhari’s Ex-Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, Gets EFCC Invitation

  • The ex-minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, has been invited to a probe
  • The invitation was from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which would quiz her on Wednesday, January 3
  • Sadiya's invitation by the anti-graft agency is in connection with the alleged N37 billion that was laundered during her tenure

Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil societies, courts, and metro

FCT, Abuja - Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the ex-minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, is scheduled to be questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, January 2.

The investigation revolves around accusations of fraudulent activities amounting to N37 billion.

Read also

BREAKING: EFCC to arrest Buhari’s minister over alleged N37.1bn fraud

Sadiya Umar-Farouq served under the administration of former President Mohammadu Buhari
The EFCC is inviting the ex-minister in connection to an alleged N37bn fraud. Photo Credit: Sadiya Umar-Farouq/EFCC
Source: Facebook

The anti-graft agency invited the former minister last week as part of an ongoing inquiry into her actions during her six-year tenure in the ministry.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

The probe focuses explicitly on the alleged laundering of N37,170,855,753.44 during her term, with James Okwete, a contractor, implicated in the process, Daily Trust reported.

On Tuesday, officials from the anti-corruption agency disclosed that the ex-minister had been summoned to the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, at 10:00 am.

They stated that other ministry officials were also separately invited on different days to shed light on the ministry's operations over the past six years.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu promptly suspended Halima Shehu from her roles as Chief Executive Officer and National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).

Read also

N37bn alleged fraud: "She’s never going to show up", Buhari’s minister shuns EFCC invitation

TIinubu appoints interim NSIPA boss

Akindele Egbuwalo, the national N-Power program manager, has been appointed as the interim replacement while an investigation into the activities of the former agency head is underway.

The NSIPA, responsible for overseeing crucial programs such as N-Power and Conditional Cash Transfer, has come under recent scrutiny regarding its efficiency and effectiveness.

Situated within the humanitarian affairs ministry, the agency has faced concerns about its performance.

Last night, the suspension of Ms. Shehu, the NSIPA head, was reported without a disclosed reason.

While the cause for her suspension remained undisclosed, an EFCC official hinted at potential issues requiring her attention.

Despite being contacted, the spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, neither confirmed nor commented on the situation, promising to provide further information but failing to do so by the time of this report.

Sadiya denies link to contractor accused of N37bn fraud

Read also

Probe Humanitarian minister, reverse suspension of NSIPA boss, PDP group tells Tinubu

Earlier, Legit.ng reported the ex-minister said she did not know James Okwete and did nothing wrong.

Sadiya said she could prove that she was honest and responsible when she was in service under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

James Okwete is currently in EFCC detention after it was found that he took N37bn and hid it in 38 bank accounts.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Segun Adeyemi avatar

Segun Adeyemi (Current Affairs and Politics Editor) Segun Adeyemi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience as an active field reporter, editor, and editorial manager. He has had stints with Daily Trust newspaper, Daily Nigerian, and News Digest. He currently works as an editor for Legit.ng's current affairs and politics desk. He holds a degree in Mass Communication (Adekunle Ajasin University). He is a certified digital reporter by Reuters, AFP and the co-convener of the annual campus journalism awards. Email: segun.adeyemi@corp.legit.ng.