EFCC Grants Bail To Fmr Minister Sadiya in ₦37.1bn Fraud Investigation

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) interrogated former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, for over 12 hours on Monday, focusing on her association with contractor James Okwete and the disbursement of ₦37,170,855,753.44. The sum was deposited into Okwete’s bank accounts through agencies affiliated with the ministry.

During the extensive questioning at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, conducted in the presence of her lawyer, Oladipo Okpeseyi, Umar-Farouk was required to provide a statement elucidating her relationship with Okwete and the flow of funds into his accounts. Documents were presented to her detailing the movement of monies into accounts associated with Okwete.

According to an EFCC source, she was released on bail around 11.30 pm on Monday, with instructions to report to the commission daily starting Tuesday. The ongoing investigation prompted the decision not to detain her, similar to the case of Halima Shehu.

Umar-Farouk’s legal representative, Okpeseyi, confirmed her release on bail and the daily reporting requirement. Meanwhile, James Okwete, the contractor under scrutiny, had been released on administrative bail the previous Thursday, according to his lawyer, Chukwuemeka Eze.

Umar-Farouk publicly acknowledged her presence at the EFCC Headquarters through a tweet at 10:20 am on Monday, stating that she willingly responded to the anti-graft agency’s invitation to address specific issues under investigation.

Investigative documents revealed that Okwete, upon receiving the funds, engaged in various financial transactions, including transferring money to Bureau De Change Operators, withdrawing cash, purchasing luxury cars, and acquiring properties in Abuja and Enugu State. Okwete is associated with 53 companies, 47 of which secured Federal Government contracts totaling N27,423,824,339.86.

Okwete’s involvement extends to 143 bank accounts across 12 commercial banks, with 134 corporate accounts linked to different companies. Corporate Affairs Commission records indicate that Okwete is a director in only 11 of the 53 companies, while the remaining 42 companies’ accounts are tied to his Bank Verification Number as a signatory.