The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Halima Shehu, the National Co-ordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged laundering of N37,170,855,753.44 in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, under former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.
According to exclusive information gathered by The PUNCH, EFCC operatives descended on NSIPA‘s office at the Federal Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday at 9 am, taking Shehu to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja. As of the time of this report, she remains in detention and is undergoing interrogation.
Anonymous senior officers from the anti-graft agency revealed that Shehu, formerly the National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, was implicated in connection with the alleged N37.1 billion fraud during Umar-Farouk’s tenure.
“Halima Shehu is currently in our (EFCC) custody in connection with the ongoing N37.1 billion fraud that took place under the former Humanitarian Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk. Halima was the National Coordinator in charge of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry during Buhari’s tenure, and she’s been queried over some of the money that left the ministry’s coffers through her,” stated an EFCC official.
Umar-Farouk, the former minister, is also expected to appear at the EFCC office for questioning on Wednesday regarding the same money laundering case. She was invited to give an account of the alleged fraud that occurred during her tenure, involving a staggering N37,170,855,753.44.
The document requesting her appearance, read,
“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, January 2024. 10:00 am.”
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In a related development, President Bola Tinubu suspended Halima Shehu from her position on Tuesday. The unfolding investigation sheds light on the alleged financial mismanagement within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development during the specified period. The EFCC continues its efforts to unravel the extent of the alleged fraudulent activities.
