Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, has vehemently denied any association with the alleged money laundering activities involving contractor James Okwete, who was recently arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for reportedly laundering N37bn.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Umar-Farouq distanced herself from Okwete, stating that he neither worked for her nor represented her in any capacity.
She termed the linkages and associations to her person as spurious, and while resisting engagement in any media trial, she affirmed her commitment to defending her actions, stewardship, and programs during her tenure as a minister.
The ongoing EFCC probe, as reported by The PUNCH, revealed that N37bn was allegedly laundered within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs during Umar-Farouq’s leadership.
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The funds were purportedly transferred from the Federal Government’s coffers to 38 different bank accounts connected with Okwete.
Okwete, according to EFCC sources, is currently detained at the commission’s headquarters in Jabbi, Abuja, over the ongoing investigation.
In response to the revelations, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for the prosecution of all those involved.
The group, through its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, emphasized the gross violation of public trust when corruption occurs within government ministries responsible for providing essential services to the less-privileged.
HURIWA urged relevant authorities to expedite the legal process and ensure that those responsible face the consequences of their actions.
The group expressed deep concern over recurring incidents of financial mismanagement within ministries tasked with addressing critical societal needs, citing previous revelations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission regarding the mismanagement of funds meant for the ministry’s school feeding program.
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