The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly arrested Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).
Her arrest is reported to be in connection with an alleged money laundering case of N37,170,855,753.44 discovered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, under former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.
President Bola Tinubu had approved the immediate suspension of Shehu from the agency – tasked with overseeing social welfare programmes – over the money laundering scandal, which was traced to a contractor identified as James Okwete.
Halima Shehu, according to sources at the EFCC, was indicted in the alleged fraud in her capacity as the National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme in the ministry.
It was gathered that operatives of the anti-graft agency stormed the office of the NSIPA’s located at Federal Secretariat in Abuja where they effected the arrest of Shehu, whisked her to the EFCC headquarters for interrogation.
Meanwhile, the former Humanitarian Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, is expected to face EFCC interrogators on Wednesday over the same N37.1billion money laundering fraud that was discovered in the ministry when she was in charge there.
The former minister was asked to appear before interrogators at the EFCC headquarters, Jabbi, Abuja on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, to explain the alleged fraud.
The source said in confidence: “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.”
