the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), after thorough questioning in connection with an alleged N37.1 billion fraud during the tenure of former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq. The investigation reportedly revolves around a contractor named James Okwete.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, disclosed that Shehu, who was arrested as part of the ongoing probe into the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, has been directed to appear at the EFCC office for further interrogation as the investigation progresses.
“She was the National Coordinator overseeing the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme during Buhari’s tenure, and she has been queried over some of the money that left the ministry’s coffers through her,” Oyewale explained.
This development comes on the heels of Shehu’s suspension by President Tinubu, who took the action on Tuesday citing alleged corruption. Prior to her role as NSIPA CEO, Shehu served as the National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme under the Muhammadu Buhari administration. The release of Shehu adds a new twist to the unfolding financial scandal that has gripped the nation, keeping the public on the edge as the investigation delves deeper into the alleged misappropriation of funds.
