From Fred Itua, Abuja
The ongoing probe into the N37,170,855,753.44 allegedly siphoned under the watch of the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, through a contractor, James Okwete, has taken a new twist.
Already, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited Umar-Farouq to appear before a panel at the EFCC headquarters, on Wednesday, to explain the alleged fraud.
The letter read in part: “The commission is investigating a case of money laundering involving the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development during your time as minister.
“In view of the above, you are requested to kindly report for an interview with the undersigned. scheduled as follows: Wednesday, 3rd of January, 2024. Time: 10am. This request is made pursuant to Section 38 (I) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 & Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.”
Daily Sun has gathered from a reliable source within the anti-graft agency that the detained contractor, Okwete, is under immense pressure to list names of those who participated in the financial sleaze. Though the minister has denied any personal knowledge of the contractor, there are fears that he could cave in and list names of his accomplices before the appearance of Umar-Farouq, on Wednesday.
The contractor has been regularly interrogated by EFCC officials since he was detained by the anti-graft agency and the “engagements are yielding the desired results,” a source told Daily Sun. It said the former minister may not be the only alleged accomplice in the financial heist, as those who participated will be arrested, prosecuted and their assets confiscated.
“The contractor is under pressure to list those who were part of the whole fraud. He’s responding well to questions and, in no time, the identity of others will be revealed. The EFCC will go after them and recover what was stolen. We believe he didn’t work alone with the minister. All those involved in the long chain will be brought in to explain their roles as investigations progress. No stone will be left unturned,” the source said.
Speaking on the invitation to Umar-Farouq, the source said if she’s unable to respond to questions posed to her during the interrogation, she may be detained until every secret is unearthed.
The source said: “The former minister is still pretending not to know anything about the alleged fraud. That, in itself, is a crime. It means she failed in her duties as supervising minister to ensure that funds approved are used accordingly.
“She has already been invited and we’re monitoring her movement to avoid her running away. When she comes to our office on Wednesday, we’ll know if she’ll be detained or released. It depends on what she tells the interrogators.
“If she cooperates and her statements are useful, she will be left off the hook. If not, you know the procedures. There are allegations and she must account for every dime alleged to have been stolen from the ministry under her watch.”
According to EFCC officials, about N37.1 billion was transferred from the Federal Government’s coffers and sent to 38 different bank accounts domiciled in five commercial banks belonging to or connected with the contractor, Okwete.