Nigeria: EFCC arrests NSIPA CEO in connection with alleged N37.1bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended Halima Shehu, the National Co-ordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency.

Shehu was arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged laundering of N37,170,855,753.44 within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development during the tenure of former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.

The EFCC operatives raided NSIPA’s office, located in the Federal Secretariat, at 9 am on Tuesday, taking Shehu to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja; she has since been in custody, undergoing interrogation.

High-ranking officials within the anti-graft agency, speaking anonymously, disclosed that Shehu faced allegations related to the fraudulent use of funds during her tenure as the National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme.

“Halima Shehu is currently in our (EFCC) custody in connection with the ongoing N37.1bn 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.

“The former Minister, Sadiya is also expected at the office tomorrow (Wednesday) for questioning over the N37.1bn money laundering case,” a source told the PUNCH.

President Bola Tinubu suspended Shehu from office on Tuesday, and former Minister Umar-Farouk is expected to appear for questioning tomorrow – Wednesday January 3, 2024 – regarding the money laundering case.

The EFCC had earlier invited Umar-Farouk for an interview on Wednesday to address the N37,170,855,753.44 allegedly laundered during her term, involving a contractor named James Okwete. 

The investigation, conducted under the authority of relevant laws, seeks to unravel the extent of the financial impropriety that occurred during her tenure.