The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that the former minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management, and social development Sadiya Farouq did not shun its invitation as earlier reported.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that she sent a letter saying she could not honour the invitation because she was not feeling well.
“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,” he said.
“She didn’t shun EFCC invitation, she actually gave reasons why she couldn’t meet up. Her lawyer was also at the commission to brief the anti-graft agency of why she couldn’t come or honour the invitation.”
Oyewale said the commission had considered her plea, expecting that she would honour the invitation without further delay.
He said that there might not be any reason for her arrest as she had done the needful through her lawyer.
Oyewale did not confirm if N37.1 billion is the correct figure that was allegedly misappropriated by the ministry under Farouq’s watch.
“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.
