Former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq detained in EFCC custody

Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the former minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

The former minister was initially scheduled to appear before crack detectives of the EFCC around 10:00am last Wednesday over alleged fraud but was absent, citing health challenges.

 

Sadiya turned up at the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja at about 10:00am on Monday, January 8, and was grilled by the crack detectives for about 6 hours.

 

She was quizzed over the sum of N37,170,855,753.44 that was allegedly laundered under her watch through a contractor, James Okwete.

 

Giving an update on her questioning, EFCC sources told Daily Trust that she spent the night at the anti-graft agency to enable them to obtain detailed and necessary information.

 

It was also gathered that Sadiya opened up on some documents already in possession of the anti-graft agency including the ones she came along with as directed.

 

A source told the publication;

 

“She’s cooperating with the commission on the ongoing investigation. She’s providing us necessary information. What I can tell you is that we are obtaining relevant information about the ministry.”