The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified that former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, did not deliberately ignore their invitation for questioning, as initially reported.
Following Umar-Farouq’s no-show on January 3rd, there were claims of her shunning the investigation into a N37.1 billion alleged fraud linked to a contractor named James Okwete.
However, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, has now dispelled these reports.
“It is true that she didn’t show up,” explained Mr. Oyewale, “but she sent a letter pleading for more time, explaining that she had some health challenges.”
He also explained that the N37.1 billion being branded might not be a correct figure for the money misappropriated by the ministry
”On the figure that is being branded, I cannot categorically confirm the figure because it is an ongoing thing, We are still tracing all the transactions here and there. It may be more than that.
”We can’t publish a figure now until we finish the tracking, and it may be more than what is being brandished now,” he said
The former minister, who served under the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari, was scheduled to report at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, at 10:00 am on January 3, 2024. She, however, did not show up, leaving the investigators waiting for over eight hours. There was no official communication from her or her representatives explaining the absence.
The EFCC had written Umar Farouq to appear for questioning in furtherance of the ongoing probe.
“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,” an official of the EFCC had told The Punch.