Nigeria’s Anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC (EFCC) says former Minister of Humanitarian Affair, Disaster Management, and Social Development Sadiya Umar-Farouq, did not shun its invitation as reported by some media outlets
The clarification became necessary after some media outlets reported that the former Minister had on Wednesday shunned an invitation by the EFCC
However, in an interview with Voice of Nigeria in Abuja, the EFCC spokesperson Mr. Oyewale Oladele said, “Mrs Farouk did not shun invitation” but sent her lawyers to convey a letter to the commission intimating the commission that, she is indisposed.
“She did not come physically. She was pleading for more time. The position of the commission is that she should avail herself without any further delay.”
It would be recalled that the former minister was invited to appear before investigators at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at about 10:00 am, to give an account of an alleged fraud that took place during her tenure.
She was being investigated over the sum of N37.1 billion that was allegedly laundered through a contractor, James Okwete.
Umar-Farouk served as minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari from August 2019 to May 2023.