The probe involves a contractor, James Okwete, who is said to have facilitated the illicit financial activities.
By Lot Sunday
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged N37.1bn money laundering scandal under her leadership.
The probe involves a contractor, James Okwete, who is said to have facilitated the illicit financial activities.
In a document received by our correspondent, EFCC requested Umar-Farouq’s presence at their headquarters in Jabbi, Abuja, on 3rd January at 10 am.
The document cites violations of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004, and the Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2011.
Efforts to obtain comments from the former minister were unsuccessful as her phone was switched off as of press time.
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Similarly, her former media aide, Nneka Ikem, declined to comment, abruptly ending the conversation and switching off her phone.
Umar-Farouq had previously denied any association with James Okwete, the contractor currently in custody.
She took to social media to refute the claims, stating that Okwete neither worked for nor represented her. The former minister expressed intent to explore legal options to address what she termed a “malicious attack” on her person.
The EFCC, when contacted, declined to comment on the invitation.
Sources within the EFCC revealed that Okwete, the contractor, has been cooperating with investigators and providing crucial information linking Umar-Farouq and former directors-general of agencies under the ministry to the alleged financial misappropriation.
The N37.1bn in question was reportedly transferred from the Federal Government’s coffers to 38 different bank accounts held in five legacy commercial banks associated with or connected to Okwete. The contractor has allegedly disclosed details of fund transfers, withdrawals, luxury purchases, and Federal Government contract engagements.
The investigation coincides with similar probes into three other ministers who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, collectively implicated in an alleged graft estimated at N150bn.
