The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained Halima Shehu, the National Co-ordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged N37,170,855,753.44 money laundering case within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.
Operatives of the EFCC reportedly stormed NSIPA’s office at the Federal Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday at approximately 9 am. Shehu was then driven to the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, where she is currently being detained and interrogated.
According to senior officers of the anti-graft agency who spoke anonymously, Shehu has been implicated in the alleged 37.1 billion naira fraud during her tenure as the former National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry.
“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,” disclosed an EFCC official.
Shehu’s suspension from office was announced by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday.
In a related development, the EFCC had earlier invited the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Umar-Farouk, to appear before investigators on Wednesday over the same N37,170,855,753.44 money laundering case.
The former minister was requested to report to the EFCC Headquarters, Jabbi, Abuja, for an interview in connection with the alleged financial irregularities during her tenure. The investigation also involves a contractor, James Okwete.
As the probe unfolds, more details are expected to emerge regarding the alleged financial misconduct within the ministry.
