Sadiya Umar.
Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has refuted claims connecting her to James Okwete in relation to the alleged N37 billion fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detained James Okwete, a contractor, as part of its investigation into the purported laundering of N37 billion by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.
As per the information provided, the contractor is said to have purportedly transferred the sum of N6,746,034,000.00 to Bureau De Change Operators, withdrawn N540,000,000.00 in cash, acquired luxury cars amounting to N288,348,600.00, and invested N2,195,115,000.00 in upscale properties in Abuja and Enugu State.
It is reported that Okwete has reportedly provided valuable statements regarding both Farouq and former directors-general of the ministry.
However, in a series of tweets on X, Farouq asserted that she had no knowledge of Okwete and clarified that he neither served under her nor represented her in any capacity whatsoever.
She emphasized that the connections and associations to her were baseless and unfounded, expressing her intention to take legal action against such claims.
The Tweet read, “There have been a number of reports linking me to a purported investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the activities of one James Okwete, someone completely unknown to me. James Okwete neither worked for,
“Nor represented me in any way whatsoever. The linkages and associations to my person are spurious. 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.
“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.”