The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday debunked news making the rounds that the former Minister of Humanitarian Affair, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, shunned the anti-graft agency’s invitation.
According to the EFCC, the former minister did not shun its invitation, as reported by a section of the media.
The clarification was made by the spokesperson of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, during a chat with NAN in Abuja.
The spokesperson of the anti-graft agency explained that the former minister had sent a letter to the commission explaining that she would not be able to honour the invitation because of her health challenges.
In his own words, ”It is true that she didn’t show up but she sent a letter pleading for more time, explaining that she had some health challenges. She didn’t shun the EFCC invitation; she actually gave reasons why she couldn’t meet up.”
Oyewale further revealed that the former minister also sent her lawyer to the commission for a proper briefing on why she couldn’t come.
He also stated that, because of how she presented her plea and by sending her lawyer to properly inform them, the commission considered her plea and would not forcefully arrest her.
The anti-graft agency’s spokesperson also added that they expect her to honour the invitation as soon as she can without any further delay.
News About Nigeria earlier reported that Umar-Farouq kept interrogators waiting for over eight hours on Wednesday without an official communication to the EFCC as to why she didn’t honour the invitation.
The anti-graft agency had asked her to appear before investigators at the EFCC headquarters, Jabi, Abuja on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at about 10:00 am, because of the alleged N37.1bn fraud that took place under her watch.
