In a recent development, the National Co-ordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, has been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged laundering of N37,170,855,753.44 in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development during the tenure of former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.
According to reliable sources within the EFCC, operatives of the agency arrived at the NSIPA’s office at the Federal Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday morning and subsequently took Shehu to the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. As of the time of this report, she is still being held and questioned by the EFCC.
Senior officers within the EFCC, who chose to remain anonymous, have stated that Shehu is allegedly involved in the 37.1 billion naira fraud as the former National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry.
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They further disclosed that the former Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, is also expected to appear for questioning concerning the money laundering case.
In another development, President Bola Tinubu has suspended Halima Shehu from her position as a result of these allegations.
Furthermore, the EFCC has invited former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk to appear before investigators at the EFCC Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja today. She has been asked to provide an account of the alleged fraudulent activities that occurred during her tenure, specifically related to a contractor named James Okwete.
The EFCC’s invitation to the former Minister is based on an ongoing investigation into the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development during her time in office.
The invitation letter, obtained by voiceofnaija.ng, requests her presence for an interview in accordance with relevant sections of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.