The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended contractor James Okwete as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged N37bn money laundering by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development during the tenure of former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.
A reliable source within the EFCC revealed to our correspondent that Okwete, currently in custody, has provided valuable statements concerning Umar-Farouk and former directors-general of the ministry. The probe coincides with investigations into three other ministers, linked to an estimated N150bn graft.
“It is not only Umar-Farouk we are investigating. Three other former ministers are also under probe. They were allegedly involved in graft to the tune of N150bn,” disclosed a credible source within the EFCC.
Umar-Farouk and some former directors-general may face arrest as details of financial misappropriation emerge from the contractor’s cooperation with investigators.
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The alleged N37.1bn was traced to 38 bank accounts across five legacy commercial banks connected to Okwete. Documents reveal that Okwete utilized the funds for Bureau De Change transactions, cash withdrawals, luxury car purchases, and real estate acquisitions in Abuja and Enugu.
Okwete, currently detained at the EFCC Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, has been cooperating with investigators, shedding light on the involvement of Umar-Farouk and directors-general in the financial irregularities.
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The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, serving as the parent ministry to various agencies, has been implicated in financial impropriety. Umar-Farouk, the pioneer minister, faces scrutiny for her role during her tenure, which began in July 2019.
Documents obtained by The PUNCH revealed that Okwete, a director in 11 of the 53 implicated companies, allegedly secured Federal Government contracts amounting to N27,423,824,339.86 using 47 companies. Additionally, 143 bank accounts in 12 commercial banks, with 134 linked to corporate accounts, are associated with Okwete.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
In a related development, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, to publish details of suspects involved in the misappropriation of N2.67bn meant for the school feeding program during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
Despite requests by SERAP, the former minister has not disclosed the names of suspects involved in diverting funds intended for school children. SERAP has threatened to pursue legal action if the information is not made public promptly.
The investigation further reveals the challenges of transparency and accountability in government initiatives, with calls for stringent measures to ensure the proper use of public funds in critical programs, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
