Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, was subjected to a comprehensive 12-hour questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at their headquarters in Abuja from 11 am to 11:30 pm on Monday.Â
Accompanied by her lawyer, Oladipo Okpeseyi, she was asked to clarify her connection with contractor James Okwete in the allocation of ₦37,170,855,753.44, channeled to Okwete’s bank accounts through ministry-affiliated agencies.
The session, held in Jabi, Abuja, included the presentation of documents illustrating the flow of funds into various accounts associated with Okwete.
An EFCC source revealed that Sadiya Umar-Farouk was released on bail around 11:30 pm, emphasizing that she is not detained, similar to Halima Shehu, as the investigation is ongoing.
However, she was instructed to report to the commission daily, starting from the following day.
During the interrogation, Umar-Farouk was shown documents detailing the transfer of funds from the ministry’s coffers to Okwete’s bank accounts.
Okwete’s lawyer, Chukwuemeka Eze, confirmed his client’s release on administrative bail, noting that he has to report to the EFCC daily.
Umar-Farouk arrived at the EFCC Headquarters at 10:00 am on Monday and tweeted about her presence, stating her willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
Documents revealed that after receiving the funds, Okwete allocated N6,746,034,000 to Bureau De Change Operators, withdrew N540 million in cash, purchased luxury cars worth N288,348,600, and acquired luxury houses in Abuja and Enugu State with N2,195,115,000.
The investigation unveiled 53 companies associated with Okwete, with 47 of them securing Federal Government contracts totaling N27,423,824,339.86.
Okwete is linked to 143 bank accounts across 12 commercial banks, including 134 corporate accounts affiliated with different companies.
The Corporate Affairs Commission disclosed that Okwete is a director in only 11 of the 53 companies, while the remaining 42 companies’ accounts are linked to his Bank Verification Number as a signatory to the accounts.
