Posted by Out of the 44 billion Naira that were transferred out of the National Social Investment Programme Agency’s (NSIPA) accounts, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has traced and blocked 30 billion.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Halima Shehu, the National Coordinator of NSIPA, who was apprehended and arrested by the EFCC less than 24 hours ago.
As part of its ongoing investigation, the anti-graft agency has suspended the several accounts that some NSIPA officials used, according to an unnamed source who talked with The Nation on Wednesday.
The EFCC verified the suspected transfer of N44 billion from NSIPA’s account to several private and corporate accounts after hours of questioning and profiling numerous accounts.
Concerning the purported fraud, the EFCC interrogated Shehu on Wednesday.
Additionally, Bwai Adamu Hamza, who was the immediate previous Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) of NSIPA, was arrested by the anti-graft agency.
In December, Hamza left the agency.
All day yesterday, a special team questioned Shehu and Hamza.
Thus, the EFCC was able to retrieve and seize the N30 billion that had been tracked to several accounts after following the flow of funds.
Tuesday saw the agency’s seizure of N17 billion in intercepted funds.
The sum confiscated increased to N30 billion after the commission, in the span of 24 hours, discovered and frozen an extra N13 billion in other accounts.
The N44 billion was allegedly transferred from NSIPA’s accounts to personal and business accounts associated with the fronts.
The development has occurred after Sadiya Umar-Farouq, who Halima Shehu served under, declined the EFCC’s request that she appear for questioning.
While Umar-Farouq was in office, a contractor named James Okwete allegedly laundered N37, 170,855,753.44 for the EFCC.
The claims were disputed by the ex-minister.