EFCC finds and freezes N30b NSIPA loot, gives Umar-Farouq 72 hours to show up
EFCC finds and freezes N30b NSIPA loot, says Umar-Farouq risks being declared wanted
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Some N30 billion of the N44 billion heist in the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) discovered in private bank accounts has been frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the graft buster has given Sadiya Umar-Farouq 72 hours to show up for interrogation.
The former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has denied dealing with alleged conduit for the scam, James Okwete, but the EFCC insists on interrogating her and after grilling former NSIPA Coordinator Halima Shehu on Wednesday.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari created the ministry mainly to alleviate poverty. NSIPA was under the ministry during Umar-Farouq’s tenure as Minister and she directly supervised Shehu.
The EFCC claimed to have tracked N30 billion of the N44 billion suspiciously moved from the accounts of NSIPA by its officials into private and corporate accounts linked to those serving as fronts.
Some of the NSIPA officials are also being investigated, the anti-graft agency said.
Shehu was grilled for four hours on Wednesday by the EFCC which has also arrested former NSIPA Finance and Accounts Director Bwai Hamza.
But Umar-Farouq failed to honour the EFCC invitation to appear for interrogation and did not initially send any message on why she did not turn up.
She was invited over the alleged laundering of N37,170,855,753.44 during her tenure through Okwete, a contractor. She has denied the allegation.
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EFCC insists Umar-Farouq (right) must honour invitation for interrogation
EFCC asks Farouq to appear for interrogation within 3 days
The EFCC has told Umar-Farouq she must appear at its Abuja headquarters within three days for interrogation, even after she later cited health challenges for her absence and her lawyer requested extending the invitation by three weeks.
After defying the initial invitation on Wednesday, she later wrote to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede explaining she was indisposed.
Olukoyede is said to be personally heading the probe.
“In her letter,” a source disclosed to The Nation, “she asked the EFCC to give her three weeks to attend to her health before honouring the Commission’s investigation. The letter was delivered by her counsel on Wednesday.
“But the EFCC said it cannot delay the investigation for three weeks. It has given [her] three days to appear or risk being declared wanted.
“Olukoyede has put a new system in place such that you can appear before EFCC detectives and sleep in your home the same day. There is no need to panic at all.
“We are expecting her; our team is on standby. Even if she requires medical help, we will avail her of our first-class facility.”
EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale confirmed “We got a letter from the ex-minister that she could not honour our invitation due to some health challenges.
“Since her lawyer brought the letter, the EFCC has also responded accordingly.”
The letter EFCC wrote to Umar-Farouq’s says: “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.”
Shehu released after interrogation
Oyewale also clarified the invitation on television, saying: “It is true that she didn’t show up, but she sent a letter pleading for more time, explaining that she had some health challenges.
“She didn’t shun EFCC’s invitation. She actually gave reasons why she couldn’t meet up.
“Her lawyer was also at the commission to brief the anti-graft agency on why she couldn’t come or honour the invitation.
“On the figure that is being bandied about, I cannot categorically confirm the figure because it is an ongoing thing.
“We are still tracing all the transactions here and there. It may be more than that.
“We can’t publish a figure now until we finish the tracking and it may be more than what is being brandished now.”
Oyewale confirmed Shehu has been released after interrogation.
“She was the National Coordinator in charge of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry during Buhari’s tenure.
“She has been queried over some of the money that left the ministry’s coffers through her.”