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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a directive for the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, to appear at its Abuja headquarters within three days for interrogation. The agency rejected her plea for a three-week extension, citing health challenges.
Umar-Farouq is under investigation for the alleged laundering of N37,170,855,753.44 in her ministry during her tenure, with suspicions pointing to a contractor named James Okwete. Despite the ex-minister denying any connection to the implicated contractor, the EFCC insists on questioning her.
In a letter to the EFCC's Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, Umar-Farouq requested a three-week delay to attend to her health. However, the EFCC rejected the request, giving her a three-day ultimatum to appear or risk being declared wanted.
The agency's spokesman clarified that the reported N37.1 billion might not accurately represent the amount misappropriated by the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry, as investigations are ongoing.
The National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, have also been released after interrogation. She was questioned regarding funds leaving the ministry's coffers through her role as the National Coordinator in charge of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme during President Buhari's tenure.
