Umar-Farouk May Be Arrested If She Fails To Appear For Interrogation – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has said the commission may be forced to arrest the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, if she fails to voluntarily come for investigation.

The anti-graft agency noted that nothing will scuttle the ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of N37.1 billion by the ministry.

A source in the commission told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that apart from former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk and the Coordinator, National Social Investment Programme Agency, Halima Shehu, more people will be invited with regards to the case.

The source told NAN on Thursday that while the former minister did not honour the EFCC’s invitation, Shehu has been detained since Tuesday and responding to inquiries over the transactions.

“Halima Shehu is currently in our 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 has been queried over some of the money that left the ministry’s coffers through her.

“The former minister was expected at the office for questioning on Wednesday over the alleged N37.1bn money laundering case but refused to show up,” he said.

According to him, the interrogation team left at about 6 p.m. when it was obvious that the former minister was not going to show up.

”She didn’t appear or send a representative to appear on her behalf. The former minister might be arrested if she fails to voluntarily appear before investigators.”