Updated: EFCC Defends Former Minister Umar-Farouq, Says She Did Not Shun Its Invitation

By Akinwale Kasali

Contrary to reports that former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development Sadiya Umar-Farouq shunned the invitation of Anti Graft Agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Commission says there is no such thing.

Dele Oyewale, EFCC Spokesman disclosed that Umar-Farouq had sent a letter saying that she couldn’t honour the invitation because she was indisposed due to health challenges.

In the words of Oyewale, “ 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 gave reasons why she couldn’t meet up.

”Her lawyer was also at the commission to brief the anti-graft agency on why she couldn’t come or honour the invitation,” the EFCC spokesman added.

He added that the Commission put into consideration her pleas and request for a later date for her to appear before the Commission.

As regards arresting her for not showing up, the EFCC Spokesperson said that it was unnecessary to arrest since she has done the needful by writing the Commission to state her reasons for not appearing through her Lawyer.

Umar-Farouq is being investigated for an alleged fraud that took place in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.

Oyewale further explained that the N37.1Billion said to be misappropriated by the Ministry may not be the actual amount, which is why the EFCC is not resting on its oars in unraveling the true picture.

“ On the figure that is being branded, I cannot categorically confirm the figure because it is an ongoing thing. We are still tracing all the transactions here and there; it may be more than that.

“We can’t publish a figure now until we finish the tracking, and it may be more than what is being brandished now,” he said.

Oyewale also revealed that the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, NSIPA, Halima Shehu, has been released.

Shehu, who was arrested on Tuesday, has been released and directed to come to the EFCC office for interrogation until the end of the investigation.

She was arrested in connection with the ongoing probe of the humanitarian affairs ministry.