The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted claims that former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, ignored its invitation, countering misinformation circulating in certain media outlets.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale clarified that Umar-Farouq had, in fact, communicated her inability to attend due to health challenges.
Oyewale emphasized that the former minister did not outright decline the EFCC’s invitation but, instead, submitted a letter explaining the reasons for her absence. He further pointed out that her legal representative visited the commission to elaborate on the health issues preventing her physical presence. The EFCC spokesperson underscored that the commission had taken her plea into consideration and anticipated her prompt compliance with the invitation.
Dispelling the notion of an imminent arrest, Oyewale stated that the legal procedures were being duly followed through Umar-Farouq’s lawyer. He stated, “The commission’s stance is that she should present herself without any further delay.”
Regarding the alleged misappropriation of funds amounting to N37.1 billion linked to the ministry, Oyewale abstained from confirming the exact figure, citing ongoing investigations. He conveyed that the total amount under scrutiny might exceed the currently speculated figure as investigations into various transactions were still in progress.
Providing an update, the spokesman revealed that Halima Shehu, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), who was detained on Tuesday, has been released. Shehu has been instructed to report to the EFCC for questioning throughout the course of the investigation. Oyewale clarified, “She was responsible for the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry during Buhari’s tenure and has been questioned about certain funds that were disbursed from the ministry’s accounts.”
