The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested and detained the National Co-ordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency of Nigeria, Halima Shehu, over the ongoing probe into the N37,170,855,753.44 allegedly laundered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, under former Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk.
Halima Shehu was reportdly arrested on Tuesday as EFCC operatives stormed NSIPA’s office at the Federal Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory at about 9 am.
Shehu was reportedly being held still in the custody of the EFCC for interrogation.
“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.
“Halima was the National Coordinator in charge of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry during Buhari’s tenure, and she’s been queried over some of the money that left the ministry’s coffers through her.
“The former Minister, Sadiya is also expected at the office tomorrow (Wednesday) for questioning over the N37.1bn money laundering case.”
ValidViewNetwork had earlier reported the suspension of Shehu from office by President Bola Tinubu.
The former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Umar-Farouk, is to appear before investigators today (Wednesday) over the fraud.
