Days after expressing her readiness to defend her actions during her tenure as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq has been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning.
The EFCC is currently investigating the alleged laundering of N37,170,855,753.44 under her watch through a contractor named James Okwete.
In a document, Ms. Umar-Farouq has been asked to appear at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, to clarify the accusations of fraud.
The document states, “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: 10 am. 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.”
Earlier, Umar-Farouq had distanced herself from James Okwete, the contractor held by the anti-graft agency.
In a tweet, she stated, “There have been reports linking me to an 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, I have contacted my legal team to explore possible options to seek redress on the malicious attack on my person.”
She emphasized her commitment to defending her actions, stewardship, and programs during her tenure as the minister, expressing pride in having served her country with a sense of responsibility.
“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.
It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds as the former minister prepares to face the EFCC’s questioning on the specified date.
