EFCC freezes N30bn in NSIPA probe, arrests ex-DFA
…might declare ex-humanitarian affairs minister wanted after shunning invitation
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen N30 billion in multiple accounts linked to the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), as part of its ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of N44 billion from the agency.
The EFCC also arrested the former Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) of NSIPA, Mr. Bwai Adamu Hamza, who retired from the agency in December 2020. He was interrogated by a special team of the anti-graft commission on Wednesday, along with the suspended National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NSIPA, Halima Shehu.
According to The Nation, the EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, is personally leading the probe, which has uncovered that N44 billion was suspiciously moved from NSIPA’s accounts to private and corporate accounts in one week.
A source, who spoke in confidence to The Nation, said: “After hours of interrogation and profiling of many accounts, the EFCC was able to confirm that unauthorised N44 billion was suspiciously moved out of NSIPA’s account to some private and corporate accounts.
“So far, N30 billion has been traced to some accounts and frozen.
“Our operatives are on the trail of the owners and alleged fronts or firms used to siphon the cash.”
The source added: “The two persons have made useful statements and we have recovered some records which enabled us to trace and freeze N30 billion. For a long time, the two officials have been working together.
“Immediately Hamza retired, Halima appointed him as a Special Adviser on Finance. He was expected to resume work on Tuesday.
“Our team is, however, working round the clock to uncover the accounts where the remaining N14 billion was hidden.”
Meanwhile, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, who was invited by the EFCC over the alleged laundering of N37, 170,855,753.44 during her tenure through a contractor, James Okwete, failed to honour the invitation on Wednesday.
She also did not send any message on why she did not turn up.
Officials designated to interrogate her waited in vain.
The former minister had denied the allegations.
There were strong indications last night that having failed to turn up without explanation, the former minister might be declared wanted by the EFCC.
On Umar-Farouq’s connection with the matter, her accuser, Okwete was in EFCC’s custody yesterday awaiting her arrival for a face-to-face interrogation.
“We will give her some grace and if she does not honour our invitation, the EFCC will have no choice but to declare the ex-minister wanted,” the EFCC source added.
