26th December, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Former Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has described reports linking her to James Okwete in connection with alleged N37 billion fraud as spurious.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arrested a contractor, James Okwete, in connection with the ongoing probe into the N37 billion allegedly laundered by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.
According to reports, the contractor allegedly transferred N6,746,034,000.00 to Bureau De Change Operators, withdrew N540,000,000.00 in cash, purchased luxury cars with N288,348,600.00, and bought luxury houses in Abuja and Enugu State with N2,195,115,000.00.
Reports alleged that Okwete has made useful statements concerning Farouq and former directors-general of the ministry.
But Farouq in series of tweets on X said she never knew Okwete and that he neither worked for her or represented her in anyway whatsoever.
She said the linkages and associations to her person are spurious and threatened legal action.
“While I resist the urge to engage in any media trial whatsoever, I have however contacted my Legal Team to explore possible options to seek redress on the malicious attack on my person.
“I remain proud to have served my country as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and would defend my actions, stewardship and programmes during my tenure whenever I am called upon to do so.”