By Ken Afor
Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, has made her way to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
She is scheduled to meet with investigators regarding an ongoing investigation into the alleged laundering of N37,170,855,753.44 during her time in office.
The funds are said to have been funneled through a contractor named James Okwete.
According to reports, Umar-Farouq arrived at the EFCC headquarters at about 10:00 am on Monday.
At approximately 10:20 am, the former Minister took to Twitter to announce her arrival at the EFCC headquarters.
“I have, at my behest, arrived at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency to offer clarifications in respect of some issues that the commission is investigating,” Umar-Farouq tweeted on Monday morning.
It would be recalled that the former Minister, citing health challenges had previously sent an official letter to the EFCC, requesting an extension of the deadline to engage with EFCC investigators regarding an ongoing investigation into the alleged laundering of N37,170,855,753.44 during her time in office.
She was subject to potential arrest by EFCC operatives when she failed to present herself before interrogators at the EFCC Headquarters on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at approximately 10:00 a.m. following an allegation of monumental fraud that occurred under her supervision.
Meanwhile, in response to the development, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, revealed that the former minister had sent a legal representative.
Oyewale said, “The former Humanitarian Minister didn’t appear before the commission yesterday, but she sent in a letter pleading for more time and also explaining that she has some health challenges and that was why she couldn’t honour the invitation. She also sent in her lawyer to meet with interrogators.
“However, the commission has mandated her to submit herself to the commission without further delay. We are still tracing all the transactions, hence we cannot put a figure to everything now as investigation is still ongoing.”
According to recent reports, the EFCC has apprehended Okwete, a contractor, in relation to the ongoing investigation into the alleged laundering of N37.1bn by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development during the tenure of former Minister Umar-Farouq.
A high-ranking official from the EFCC, disclosed that the contractor has provided valuable information regarding Umar-Farouq and former directors-general of the ministry.
Interestingly, this development aligns with the scrutiny of three other ministers who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari. These ministers are being investigated for corruption amounting to an estimated N150bn.
“It is not only Umar-Farouq we are investigating. Three other former ministers are also under probe. They were allegedly involved in graft to the tune of N150bn,’’ said Punch quoting a credible source in the EFCC.
Further details revealed that Umar-Farouq and several former directors-general of the agencies under the ministry could potentially face arrest by the anti-graft commission. This is due to the extensive evidence of financial misappropriation that has been shared with investigators by the contractor.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that a total of N37.1bn was transferred from the Federal Government’s funds and distributed among 38 bank accounts. These accounts are held in five legacy commercial banks that are either owned by or associated with Okwete.
According to the outlet, Okwete, who is currently detained at the EFCC Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, has been actively assisting the investigators.
“The contractor, Mr Okwete, who was used in laundering the money had been arrested by the commission. He is currently detained in our custody and has been giving investigators more details that have indicted the former Minister, Sadiya and some DGs under the ministry, and they may be brought in anytime soon too,” a source said.
It is pertinent to note that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs currently serves as the parent ministry to eight agencies, including the National Social Investment Office, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internationally Displaced Persons, among others.
According to recently disclosed documents, it has been revealed that Okwete, upon receiving the funds, proceeded to transfer a substantial amount of N6,746,034,000 to Bureau De Change Operators. Additionally, he withdrew N540 million in cash, utilized N288,348,600 to purchase luxury cars, and acquired luxury houses in Abuja and Enugu State with N2,195,115,000.
Furthermore, investigations have uncovered that a total of 53 companies can be traced back to Okwete. It has been reported that he utilized 47 of these companies to secure Federal Government contracts, which amounted to an astonishing N27,423,824,339.86.
Moreover, Okwete’s association with financial institutions is extensive, as he is linked to a staggering 143 bank accounts across 12 commercial banks. Out of these accounts, 134 are corporate accounts associated with various companies.
According to the findings from the Corporate Affairs Commission, it has been discovered that Okwete holds directorship positions in just 11 out of the 53 companies.
However, the Bank Verification Number associated with his accounts is linked to the remaining 42 companies, indicating his role as a signatory for those accounts.
The document revealed, “Between 2018 and 2023, the subject (Okwete) received the sum of N37,170,855,753.44 from the coffers of the Federal Government linked to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
“The money was sent to 38 bank accounts domiciled in five legacy commercial banks. The suspect transferred N6,746,034,000 to Bureau De Change Operators, N540mn withdrawn in cash, N288,348,600 used to purchase cars and used N2,195,115,000 to purchase choice properties within Abuja and Enugu State.
“Fifty-three companies were traced to the suspect. He used 47 of the companies to lift Federal Government contracts amounting to N27,423,824,339.86.
“Okwete is associated with 143 bank accounts in 12 commercial banks in which 134 of the 143 accounts are corporate accounts linked to different companies.”
ENDS
