Sir Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN), the legal counsel to former Minister of Humanitarian Services, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, has addressed misconceptions surrounding her purported non-compliance with an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation.
Contrary to media reports, Okpeseyi emphasized that Sadiya did not shun the invitation but instead sought an extension of time to appear for an interview. He explained that he personally submitted a letter to the EFCC, requesting a rescheduling of the interview. The lawyer highlighted the eagerness of his client to clarify matters concerning the financial activities of agencies under her ministry.
“The EFCC has yet to send me a formal reply, the leadership availed us of its understanding, which resulted in parties amicably agreeing to have the interview originally scheduled for Wednesday postponed,” Okpeseyi clarified during a media chat.
Responding to allegations of misappropriation of funds, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria countered such claims, asserting that Sadiya’s invitation was centered on offering clarifications about certain expenditures by agencies under her ministry, not fraudulent activities.
The EFCC, through its spokesperson Dele Oyewale, supported Okpeseyi’s statement, confirming that Sadiya did not disregard the invitation but sent a letter citing health challenges. Oyewale stated, “Sadiya didn’t shun EFCC invitation; she actually gave reasons why she couldn’t meet up. Her lawyer was also at the commission to brief the anti-graft agency of why she couldn’t come or honor the invitation.”
Addressing the alleged fraud of N37.1 billion in agencies under the ministry, Oyewale clarified that the figure was yet to be confirmed as investigations were ongoing. He asserted that the EFCC considered Sadiya’s plea and expected her to honor the invitation without further delay.
In a related development, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, who was arrested earlier, has been released. Shehu was directed to appear at the EFCC office for interrogation throughout the ongoing investigation.
While Sadiya had previously issued a response through her media aide, denying any business relationship with a contractor under investigation, she reiterated her readiness to legally seek redress if her name is defamed. Sadiya served as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development in the immediate past administration.
The rescheduled interview is expected to shed light on the financial transactions and expenditures of the agencies under her ministry, providing clarity to the ongoing EFCC investigation.
