The former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, is slated to appear before operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday for questioning regarding an alleged N37.1 billion fraud.
This development follows the arrest of Halima Shehu, the National Social Investment Programme Agency, by the EFCC on Tuesday, over her alleged involvement in the same N37.1 billion fraud, reportedly carried out in collaboration with the former minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk. The suspension of Halima Shehu was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
An anonymous official from the EFCC provided insights into the arrest, disclosing that Halima Shehu was implicated in the alleged fraud amounting to N37.1 billion during her tenure as the former National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry, which was supervised by Sadiya Umar-Farouq.
The arrest comes in the wake of the summons issued to a contractor, James Okwete, by the EFCC approximately eight days ago. Okwete is being summoned in connection with the alleged fraud that occurred during Sadiya Umar-Farouk’s tenure as the minister in charge.
As the former minister prepares to face EFCC operatives for questioning, the unfolding events shed light on the intensification of efforts to investigate and address financial irregularities within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development. The alleged fraud case, amounting to N37.1 billion, underscores the gravity of the accusations against the former minister and her associates.
