The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).
President Bola Tinubu had suspended Halima amid concerns about the efficiency of critical programs like N-Power and Conditional Cash Transfer.
Halima’s detention by the anti-graft agency is linked to her alleged involvement in the suspicious movement of N17 billion from the NSIPA account within a week. The interception and recovery of the funds were triggered by reported payments of billions of naira without presidential approval, prompting the EFCC to recommend her suspension to President Tinubu.
This development, stemming from a preliminary investigation, underscores the urgency for a comprehensive probe into the alleged financial irregularities. EFCC officers executed the arrest at Halima’s private office and residence around 8 pm on Tuesday after thorough searches. As the investigation progresses, the EFCC is reportedly closing in on a director within the agency who may be implicated in the questionable payments into suspicious accounts.
The arrest marks a significant step in addressing concerns about financial mismanagement within NSIPA and signals the EFCC’s commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in critical government programs.
