Alleged fraud: EFCC has been requested to intensify their investigation into Halima Shehu, ex-minister

The Northern Zero Corruption Coalition has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged multi-billion naira fraud involving former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, and the suspended National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Program Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu.

In a statement issued by the group’s National Coordinator, Shamsu Dandaji, they also emphasized the importance of the anti-graft agency remaining unbiased and not succumbing to any pressure to divert its investigation.

The group further claimed that there is an orchestrated attempt to implicate the current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, who has demonstrated transparency in her role.

The group highlighted that the EFCC’s discovery of numerous accounts containing substantial amounts of money indicates that Halima Shehu is solely responsible for the alleged N44.8 billion fraud.

It is worth noting that Shehu was suspended indefinitely by President Bola Tinubu and subsequently arrested by EFCC operatives in connection with the said fraud, which occurred between December 27, 2023, and December 31, 2023. Dandaji clarified that Shehu served as the National Coordinator from 2017 to 2022.