N17billion: Umar-Farouq keeps EFCC interrogators waiting as Halima remains in custody

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq is yet to honour an official invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N37.1 billion theft.
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The Former Minister is yet to arrive at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja which contravenes the 10:00 am time stated on the invitation letter extended to her.

Last week, the former minister was invited by the anti-graft agency following a probe that was launched into her activities in the ministry when she held sway.

She is being investigated over the sum of N37.1 billion that was allegedly laundered under her watch through a contractor, James Okwete.

However, she is yet to appear at the EFCC headquarters, the source who craved anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said.
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According to the source, some other officials who worked with her had also been invited to provide an insight into how the affairs of the ministry were run in the last four years.

The planned interrogation of the former minister followed the immediate suspension of Halima Shehu as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) by President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu replaced Halima with the National N-Power programme Manager, Akindele Egbuwalo, in acting capacity pending an investigation initiated into the activities of the embattled former head of the agency.

NSIPA, which is responsible for managing critical programmes like N-Power and Conditional Cash Transfer, has been under scrutiny in recent times, with concerns raised about efficiency and effectiveness.
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Few hours after her suspension, the EFCC yesterday arrested her and she was still being detained.

Sources revealed that Halima Shehu was picked up in connection with the movement of N17 billion from NSIPA account to some suspicious accounts within one week.

According to the top official, the interception and recovery of the cash followed some alleged payments of billions of naira by the agency without presidential approval.

It was also learnt that the EFCC might have recommended Halima Shehu’s suspension to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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Her suspension, based on preliminary investigation, was to pave the way for an unfettered probe of the infraction.

Operatives of the commission, who were drafted to the National Coordinator’s private office and home, arrested her at about 8pm yesterday.

After searching her home and office, she was taken into custody at about 9:00 pm for interrogation.

It was also learnt that the EFCC was closing in on a director of the agency, who was allegedly complicit in the huge payments into the suspicious accounts.
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