In a significant development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, for questioning regarding allegations of corruption in the handling of N37.1 billion social intervention funds during her tenure.
Umar-Farouq, who arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday morning in response to an earlier invitation, confirmed her presence via social media. In a tweet, she stated, “I have, at my behest, arrived at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honor the invitation by the anti-graft agency to offer clarifications in respect of some issues that the commission is investigating.”
EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, also verified the development, noting that “Mrs. Sadiya Umar-Farouk arrived at our office this morning.”
The ongoing investigation by the EFCC revolves around the alleged laundering of N37.1 billion by officials of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development during Umar-Farouq’s tenure as minister.
Previously, the EFCC had questioned Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), which falls under the ministry. Mrs. Shehu was detained temporarily after the raid on NSIPA’s office on January 2.
Umar-Farouq had requested a rescheduling of her appointment with the EFCC after being summoned for questioning. In response to reports linking her to the alleged scam, she took to social media to deny any wrongdoing, stating, “I remain proud to have served my country as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and will defend my actions, stewardship, and programs during my tenure whenever I am called upon to do so.”
The investigation also sheds light on corruption allegations related to the school feeding component of the social intervention programs overseen by the ministry. In September 2020, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) revealed a diversion of N2.67 billion meant for school feeding during the COVID-19-induced lockdown. ICPC chairperson Bolaji Owasanoye disclosed that the funds were allegedly diverted into private accounts, and over N2.5 billion was misappropriated by a now-deceased senior civil servant in the Ministry of Agriculture.
