The immediate past Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Ms Sadiya Umar-Farouq, will be guest of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the new year over an ongoing probe of the N37,17 billion allegedly laundered by her ministry.
Ostensibly the first “guest” of the anti-graft agency in 2024, Umar-Farouq, will appear before the interrogators at the EFCC headquarters, Jabbi, Abuja on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
The former minister is to be questioned over the alleged fraud under her watch through a contractor, James Okwete, Persecondnews gathered on Sunday.
A document said: “The commission is investigating a case of money laundering involving the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development during your time as minister.
“In view of the above, you are requested to kindly report for an interview with the undersigned. Scheduled as follows: Wednesday, 3rd of January, 2024. Time: 10am.
“This request is made pursuant to Section 38 (I) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 & Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.”
Umar-Farouq had earlier denied knowledge of the contractor, James Okwete, who is still being held by the anti-graft agency.
She had tweeted on her X handle on Monday: “There have been a number of reports linking me to a purported investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission into the activities of one James Okwete, someone completely unknown to me.
“James Okwete neither worked for, nor represented me in any way whatsoever. The linkages and associations to my person are spurious. While I resist the urge to engage in any media trial whatsoever, I have however contacted my legal team to explore possible options to seek redress on the malicious attack on my person.
“I remain proud to have served my country as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and would defend my actions, stewardship and programmes during my tenure whenever I am called upon to do so.”
The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, however, could not be reached for comments.
The EFCC had arrested Okwete in connection with the ongoing probe into the N37.1bn allegedly laundered by the ministry under Umar-Farouq.
A top EFCC official, who confided in our correspondent, said the contractor had made useful statements concerning Umar-Farouq and former directors-general of agencies under the ministry.
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