EFCC REQUESTS THE FORMER MINISTER’S RETURN TODAY AND RELEASES SADIYA UMAR-FAROUQ.

Babatunji Wusu –

Sadiya Umar Farouq, the former minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management, and social development, has been freed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Following hours of questioning by EFCC investigators over claims of corruption in the management of N37.1 billion in social intervention funds during her term, the former minister was given permission to leave on Monday night and head back home.

She is anticipated to return on Tuesday to provide additional details on several matters that the Commission has brought to light during its initial inquiries.

The extraordinary amount of N37.1 billion that officials of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development—then headed by Umar-Farouq as the minister—are accused of laundering is the focus of the EFCC’s continuing investigation.

Halima Shehu, the Chief Executive Officer and National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), was interrogated by the EFCC previously. She is currently suspended.

Following a raid on NSIPA’s headquarters in the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, on January 2, the commission detained Shehu. She was detained for interrogation until the next day, when she was freed on bond.During President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Shehu was in charge of the Conditional Cash Transfer Program. President Bola Tinubu just sacked Shehu. Akindele Egbuwalo took her place in an acting role.