Ex-Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq Didn’t Shun EFCC’s Invitation – Lawyer

• Explains time extension for her appearance

BY VICTOR BUORO – Contrary to widespread reports in the media, the immediate past Minister of Humanitarian Services, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, did not shun the invitation for an interview with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Reacting to what he described as the “erroneous media report doing the rounds about his client”, her Counsel, Sir Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN), said the former Minister was eager to make herself available to offer clarifications to operatives of the anti-graft agency currently looking into the books of two financially independent agencies under the Ministry, including the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).

In a statement explaining the position of his client on Thursday, Sir Okpeseyi said; “I was at the headquarters of the Commission on Tuesday to submit a letter to that effect and to seek an extension of time (a shift in date) to enable my client, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, to make herself available at another opportune time to offer clarifications about activities of some agencies under the Ministry she superintended in the immediate past administration.

“Although the EFCC has yet to send me a formal reply, the leadership availed us of its understanding, which resulted in parties amicably agreeing to have the interview originally scheduled for Wednesday (January 3, 2024) postponed to a time that the Commission would subsequently fix after looking through its schedules”.

Sir Okpeseyi further told journalists that once all necessary administrative procedures are sorted out and a new date is fixed by the anti-graft agency, his client would readily make herself available to answer questions and offer clarifications on any area of her stewardship that the EFCC requires further information.

Frowning at the impression being created in a section of the media that the former Minister’s invitation is in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds during her duty tour in the Ministry, the Senior lawyer said; “That is not the case in this circumstance.  She has been invited to offer clarifications into certain expenditures by some agencies under her ministry.”

The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, who stated this on Thursday, January 4, 2024, noted that the former minister sent a letter explaining her inability to honour the invitation as she was indisposed [due to health challenges].

“It is true that she didn’t show up, but she sent a letter pleading for more time explaining that she had some health challenges. She didn’t shun the EFCC invitation; she actually gave reasons why she couldn’t meet up

“Her lawyer was also at the commission to brief the anti-graft agency of why she couldn’t come or honour the invitation,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to Oyewale, the EFCC had considered her plea and expected that she would honour the invitation without further delay, adding that there might not be any reason for her arrest as she had done the needful through her lawyer.

The EFCC spokesperson further said; “The position of the commission is that she should turn herself in without further delay”, adding that the N37.1 billion being branded might not be a correct figure of the money misappropriated under the ministry.

“On the figure that is being branded, I cannot categorically confirm the figure because it is an ongoing thing. We are still tracing all the transactions here and there; it may be more than that. We can’t publish a figure now until we finish the tracking, and it may be more than what is being brandished now.”

He also disclosed that the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, who was arrested on Tuesday, December 2, 2024, had been released but was directed to always report to the EFCC office for interrogation until the end of the investigation.

“She was arrested in connection with the ongoing probe of the humanitarian affairs Ministry. She 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”, Oyewale said.

Forefront News recalls that the former Minister in an initial response to the media report insinuating that she had a business relationship with a contractor, said; “My attention has been drawn to publications in some online media outlets trying to link my name with the activities of one Mr. James Okwete who is reportedly being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial improprieties.’

Speaking through her media aide, Alexander Udeh, she further stated thus; “Ordinarily I would have ignored such publications, which at best could be seen and regarded as speculative but doing so will give energy to the adventure of those who take delight in mudslinging, especially against those who are or have been privileged to hold public offices.

“In this age of digital media when unverified materials are easily dumped and recalled from cyberspace, it would be inappropriate to ignore such a malicious linkage. I wish to state categorically that I neither know the said Mr Okwete nor have ever had him represent me in any way whatsoever. Therefore, linking me with him in whatever guise is bogus and ill-intentioned.

“I remain proud to have served my country as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and would defend my actions, stewardship and programmes during my tenure whenever I am called upon to do so. While I resist the urge to engage in any media banter whatsoever on this issue since my name was never expressly mentioned by the agency reportedly investigating Mr Okwete, I am nonetheless prepared to seek redress legally and clear my name if there is any such defamatory reference to my person from any source.”