The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained the National Co-ordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu.
Halima was arrested over an ongoing probe into the N37,170,855,753.44 allegedly laundered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, under former Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouq.
EFCC operatives stormed NSIPA’s office at the Federal Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday at about 9 am, and drove Shehu to the EFCC headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.
Impeccable senior officers of the anti-graft agency, who spoke to The PUNCH on the condition of anonymity, revealed that Shehu was indicted in connection with the alleged 37.1 billion fraud as the former National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry.
“Halima Shehu is currently in our (EFCC) custody in connection with the ongoing N37.1 billion fraud that took place under the former Humanitarian Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk.
“Halima was the National Coordinator in charge of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry during Buhari’s tenure, and she’s been queried over some of the money that left the ministry’s coffers through her.
“The former Minister, Sadiya is also expected at the office tomorrow (Wednesday) for questioning over the N37.1 billion money laundering case”.
It was gathered that Shehu was suspended from office by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday.
It was gathered that the EFCC invited the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Umar-Farouk, to appear before investigators today (Wednesday) over an ongoing probe into the N37,170,855,753.44 allegedly laundered during her tenure in office, through a contractor, James Okwete.
The former minister was asked to appear before investigators at the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja today to give an account of the alleged monumental fraud that took place under her watch, a document exclusively seen by newsmen on Saturday revealed.
The document partly read: “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, January 2024. 10:00 am.
“This request is made pursuant to section 38 (I) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 & section 21 of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011”.
