Sadiya Umar-Farouk, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, has responded to media claims tying her to a suspected money laundering case involving a contractor, James Okwete.
Umar-Farouk denied doing business with Okwete in a statement released on her X (Twitter) page and viewed by Politics Nigeria.
The former minister, who is reportedly being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stated that she is proud of her conduct as a minister.
“There have been a number of reports linking me to a purported investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the activities of one James Okwete, someone completely unknown to me. James Okwete neither worked for nor represented me in any way whatsoever. The linkages and associations to my person are spurious,” the former minister said.
“While I resist the urge to engage in any media trial whatsoever, I have however contacted my Legal Team to explore possible options to seek redress for the malicious attack on my person.
“I remain proud to have served my country as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and would defend my actions, stewardship, and programmes during my tenure whenever I am called upon to do so,” she added.
The EFCC has discovered N37,170,855,753.44 allegedly laundered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs under former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs is the parent ministry for eight agencies, including the National Social Investment Office, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internationally Displaced Persons.
Umar-Farouq was the first Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development Minister.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari selected her as the youngest cabinet member in July 2019.
