Alleged N37bn fraud: EFCC to probe Farouk Sadiya

The alleged N37.1 billion fraud case involving Sadiya Umar-Farouk, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, has prompted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to initiate an investigation.

A reliable source from the EFCC confirmed this during a telephone interview with Channels Television. Umar-Farouk, who served as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari from August 2019 to May 29, 2023, was invited by the anti-graft agency last week to provide information regarding her activities during her tenure.

The investigation focuses on the alleged laundering of the aforementioned sum through a contractor named James Okwete. Despite being asked to appear before interrogators at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, at 10:00 am, Umar-Farouk has not yet complied.

The source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, revealed that other officials who worked with her have also been summoned to shed light on the ministry’s operations over the past four years.