The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained Halima Shehu, the National Co-ordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), in connection with the ongoing probe into the alleged N37,170,855,753.44 money laundering case within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, under former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.
EFCC operatives reportedly stormed NSIPA’s office in the Federal Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory, on Tuesday at 9 am, taking Shehu to the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. As of the latest report, she remains in detention and is being interrogated.
Anonymous senior officers from the anti-graft agency disclosed that Shehu, former National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry, was implicated in the alleged fraud. She is being questioned over funds that allegedly left the ministry’s coffers during her tenure.
President Bola Tinubu suspended Halima Shehu from office on Tuesday. Former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk is also expected to appear before the EFCC today (Wednesday) for questioning regarding the N37.1bn money laundering case. The investigation revolves around funds allegedly laundered during her tenure through a contractor, James Okwete.
Umar-Farouk was asked to report for an interview at the EFCC Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, in connection with the money laundering case, according to a document seen by our correspondent. The document cites the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as the basis for the request. The scheduled interview is set for Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 10:00 am.
