The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has tracked N30 billion of the N44 billion allegedly moved from the accounts of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) by serving and former officials of the social investment agency into various private and corporate accounts.
These multiple accounts into which the funds were moved have been frozen by the EFCC as it continues with the ongoing probe of the entire social investment programme.
On Wednesday, EFCC detectives grilled the suspended National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NSIPA, Halima Shehu in Abuja. The agency also arrested and interrogated NSIPA’s immediate past Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), Mr. Bwai Adamu Hamza who retired last month.
The former Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, who was also invited by the EFCC for interrogation however failed to honour the EFCC invitation. It was also learnt that the ex-Minister did not send any message on why she did not turn up nor send any legal representative.
The EFCC had invited Umar-Farouq over an alleged laundering of N37.1 billion during her tenure through a contractor, James Okwete. The former minister however strongly denied the allegations.
It was gathered that the EFCC Chairman. Mr. Ola Olukoyede was personally leading the probe. EFCC detectives had initially intercepted and seized N17 billion on Tuesday.
Within 24 hours they traced another N13 billion to some accounts, which it froze bringing the total seizure to N30 billion. A total of N44 billion was found to have been moved within one week by the suspects.
EFCC operatives are said to be on the trail of the owners and alleged fronts or firms used to siphon the funds. Hamza, who retired on December 29, was picked up to clarify the movement of the cash under his watch.
Shehu and Hamza were said to have worked closely in the agency and immediately Hamza retired, the suspended NSIPA boss, Halima Shehu appointed him as a Special Adviser on Finance and was expected to resume work on Tuesday before his arrest.