EFCC Considers Legal Measures Against Buhari’s Ex-Minister Amidst Financial Scandal
The EFCC is currently probing a substantial financial irregularity allegedly tied to a N37.1 billion fraud during Sadiya Umar-Farouq’s tenure, with suspicions pointing to contractor James Okwet
Despite being summoned to appear at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, by 10:00 am on January 3, 2024, Umar-Farouq failed to show up, leaving investigators waiting for over eight hours. There was no official communication from her or her representatives explaining the absence.
Umar-Farouq had received a written invitation from the EFCC to participate in the ongoing investigation.
An EFCC investigator, speaking to The PUNCH, disclosed that the interrogation team had to conclude their work at about 6 pm when it became apparent that the former minister would not be present.
“We just closed from work now because she didn’t show up today, and it’s 6 pm already. It’s certain that she’s never going to show up today,” said the investigator.
A senior EFCC official revealed that the agency’s operatives might take steps to arrest the former minister within the week if she fails to voluntarily present herself for questioning at the EFCC’s Headquarters, as officially requested.
“Hajia Sadiya didn’t show up at our office today for interrogation. In fact, she kept interrogators waiting for hours.
Meanwhile, our operatives may arrest her this week and bring her in for questioning if she fails to show up tomorrow,” said the official.
As of Wednesday, the ex-minister could not be reached for comments. Additionally, her former media aide, Nnaka Ikem, did not respond to phone calls and text messages.
In a related development, Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, who was arrested and detained by EFCC operatives, has spent a second night in detention.
Shehu, formerly responsible for the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme during Umar-Farouk’s tenure, was also apprehended in connection to the ongoing N27.1 billion fraud investigation.
