EFCC arrests suspended NSIPA boss, Shehu, over alleged N37bn fraud

The suspended National Co-ordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, has been reportedly arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Her arrest is said to be in connection with an alleged money laundering case of N37,170,855,753.44 discovered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, under former Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk.

Ripples Nigeria reports that President Bola Tinubu had approved the immediate suspension of Shehu from the agency tasked with overseeing social welfare programs, over the money laundering scandal which was traced to a contractor identified as James Okwete.

Shehu, according to sources in the EFCC, was indicted in the alleged fraud in her capacity as the National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme in the Ministry.

It was gathered that operatives of the anti-graft agency stormed the office of the NSIPA’s located at Federal Secretariat in Abuja where they effected the arrest of Shehu who was whisked to the EFCC headquarters for interrogation.

Meanwhile, the former former Humanitarian Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, is expected to face EFCC interrogators today over the same N37.1bn money laundering fraud that was discovered in the Ministry when she was in charge there.

Ripples Nigeria had on Saturday, reported that the former minister was asked to appear before interrogators at the EFCC headquarters, Jabbi, Abuja on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, to explain the alleged fraud, an exclusive document seen by our correspondent on Saturday revealed.

The document containing the invitation had read:

“The commission is investigating a case of money laundering involving the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development during your time as minister.

“In view of the above, you are requested to kindly report for an interview with the undersigned. Scheduled as follows: Wednesday, 3rd of January, 2024. Time: 10am.

“This request is made pursuant to Section 38 (I) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 & Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now