Ex-minister Denies Complicity in Alleged N37bn Fraud in Humanitarian Ministry
•Vows to defend her actions while in office
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
A former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, has denied links with one Mr. James Okwete, who is reportedly being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged N37 billion fraud.
In a statement signed by her Media Assistant, Alexander Udeh, the ex-minister under the erstwhile Muhammadu Buhari administration, explained that she will be willing to defend her actions while in office , anywhere and anytime.
Titled: “EFCC Investigates N37 Billion Fraud: My Position,” Umar-Farouk in the statement, stated that she neither knows nor has any links with the said contractor, Okwete.
There had been reports that the EFCC had arrested a contractor, Okwete, in connection with the ongoing probe into the N37 billion allegedly laundered by the ministry.
It stated that Okwete, who was allegedly used in laundering the money had been arrested by the commission and is currently detained in the custody of the anti-graft agency.
According to the report, he had been giving investigators more details that had allegedly indicted the former minister, and some top staff of the ministry.
But Umar-Farouk described the reports as merely speculative, insisting that at no time did Okwete represent her in any capacity whatsoever.
“My attention has been drawn to publications in some online media outlets trying to link my name with the activities of one Mr. James Okwete who is reportedly being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial improprieties.
“Ordinarily, I would have ignored such publications, which at best could be seen and regarded as speculative but doing so will give energy to the adventure of those who take delight in mudslinging, especially against those who are, or have been privileged to hold public offices.
“In this age of digital media when unverified materials are easily dumped and recalled from the cyber space, it would be ‘inappropriate’ to ignore such a malicious linkage.
“I wish to state categorically that I neither know the said Mr. Okwete nor has ever had him represent me in any way whatsoever. Therefore, linking me with him in whatever guise is bogus and ill-intentioned,” she added.
Umar-Farouk stated that she remains proud to have served the country as minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and would defend her actions, stewardship and programmes during her tenure whenever she is called upon to do so.
“While I resist the urge to engage in any media banter whatsoever on this issue since my name was never expressly mentioned by the agency reportedly investigating Mr. Okwete, I am nonetheless prepared to seek redress legally and clear my name if there is any such defamatory reference to my person from any source,” she stated.
