The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, into custody following an interrogation regarding alleged corruption in the handling of N37.1 billion social intervention funds during her tenure.
Sadiya Umar Farouq voluntarily arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, responding to an earlier invitation related to the ongoing investigation into her time as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs. The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development, stating, “Mrs Sadiya Umar-Farouk arrived at our office this morning.”
The investigation focuses on the substantial sum of N37.1 billion, which is alleged to have been laundered by officials of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development during Umar Farouq’s tenure as minister.
Previously, the EFCC had interrogated Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). Shehu, who oversaw the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, was detained briefly after a raid on NSIPA’s office in the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.
Shehu was subsequently released on bail after being held for questioning. President Bola Tinubu suspended her from her role, appointing Akindele Egbuwalo in an acting capacity.
Sadiya Umar Farouq had been summoned by the EFCC for questioning earlier, but she requested a rescheduling of the appointment. The current detention marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
