Former minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management, and social development Sadiya Farouq has been invited for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N37,170,855,753.44 fraud.
Farouq was asked to see investigators at the EFCC headquarters, Jabbi, Abuja on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, PUNCH reports.
A letter sent to the ex-minister and obtained by the newspaper read, “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.”
The EFCC believes N37 billion was laundered under Farouq’s watch through a contractor, James Okwete, who is already in custody.
Farouq has since dissociated herself from Mr Okwete.
A probe by the EFCC showed that N37 billion was transferred from the Federal Government to 38 different bank accounts domiciled in five commercial banks belonging to or connected with Okwete.
EFCC digs up alleged N37bn fraud in humanitarian ministry under Sadiya Farouq
Sadiya Farouq denies contractor James Okwete arrested for alleged N37bn fraud
Fifty-three companies were allegedly traced to Okwete, who was also said to have used 47 of the companies to lift Federal Government contracts amounting to N27,423,824,339.86. He is also linked with 143 bank accounts in 12 commercial banks in which 134 accounts are corporate accounts linked to different companies.
Records in the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) show Okwete is a director in 11 of the 53 companies while he is a signatory to the accounts of the remaining firms.
After receiving N37 billion from the government, Okwete, according to an EFCC document, allegedly transferred N6,746,034,000.00 to bureau de change operators, withdrew N540,000,000.00 in cash, purchased luxury cars with N288,348,600.00, and bought luxury houses in Abuja and Enugu State with N2,195,115,000.00.
The newspaper said the former minister could not be reached for comments.
