Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, has complied with the invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), arriving at the agency’s headquarters for an investigation into an alleged N37,170,855,753.44 money laundering case that occurred during her tenure.
The probe revolves around funds reportedly laundered by a contractor, James Okwete, during Farouq’s service in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The ex-minister confirmed her presence at the EFCC office in a statement on social media, stating that she is willing to offer clarifications on the issues under investigation.
“I have, at my behest, arrived at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency to offer clarifications in respect of some issues that the commission is investigating,” she tweeted.
Addressing earlier reports that she shunned the invitation, Farouq explained that she had communicated her health challenges to the EFCC through a letter and had expressed her inability to attend at the specified time.
News About Nigeria earlier reported that the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, clarified this, stating that the former minister did not shun the invitation but provided valid reasons for her absence.
Oyewale said that Farouq’s legal representative had also visited the commission to provide further details on her health condition and the circumstances preventing her immediate attendance.
Acknowledging her plea and the provided information, the EFCC spokesperson stated that there was no intention to forcibly arrest her and that they expect her to attend the invitation as soon as her health allows.
The EFCC had initially directed Farouq to appear before investigators at their headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, in connection to the alleged fraud amounting to N37.1 billion that occurred during her tenure.
