R-L: Shehu, Edu, Umar-Farouq.
EFCC recovers N30bn from ex-minister Umar-Farouq, N0.5bn from Edu
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has recovered over N30bn from the N37,170,855,753.44 allegedly laundered by former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar-Farouq.
It would be recalled that Umar-Farouq was indicted in a corruption scandal after N37,170,855,753.44 was allegedly transferred under her from government coffers and sent to 38 different bank accounts domiciled in five commercial banks belonging to a contractor, James Okwete.
A source in the anti-graft agency disclosed that the N30bn was recovered following the placement of a lien on the bank accounts of Umar-Farouq and Okwete.
The source added that both the former minister and contractor were still being grilled by EFCC’s investigators over the alleged money laundering.
He further said that the commission had also uncovered over N500m from the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.
The source said the agency was also grilling Edu in connection with an alleged N17bn fraud.
He added that the suspended Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme, Halima Shehu, was being questioned over an alleged N44bn fraud.