"He's unknown to me" Sadiya Umar denies link to contractor arrested by EFCC over N37bn fraud "He's unknown to me" Sadiya Umar denies link to contractor arrested by EFCC over N37bn fraud

The former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, has refuted any knowledge of James Okwete, a contractor who was apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for purportedly laundering N37bn.

She dismissed the allegation of involvement as a deliberate attack on her character.

In a statement posted on her X handle (formerly Twitter) and Instagram page late on Monday, Dec. 25, Umar-Farouk responded to the accusations.

It had been previously reported that ongoing EFCC investigations revealed the transfer of N37bn from the Federal Government to 38 different bank accounts in five legacy commercial banks connected to Okwete.

Okwete’s detention coincided with the ongoing scrutiny of the Humanitarian ministry and three ministers from the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The contractor allegedly transferred over N6 billion (N6,746,034,000.00) to Bureau De Change operators, withdrew N540,000,000.00 in cash, purchased luxury cars with N288,348,600.00, and acquired luxury properties in Abuja and Enugu with N2,195,115,000.00.

On top of that, Okwete is said to have secured federal government contracts worth N27,423,824,339.86 through 47 companies, with 53 companies allegedly linked to him.

However, Umar-Farouk disavowed any association with Okwete.

She stated, “There have been multiple reports linking me to an alleged EFCC investigation into the activities of one James Okwete, someone entirely unfamiliar to me. James Okwete had no affiliation or representation of me in any capacity. The connections to my person are baseless.

“While I refrain from engaging in any media trial, I have contacted my Legal Team to explore potential avenues for addressing the malicious attack on my character.

“I am proud to have served my country as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a strong sense of duty and will defend my actions, leadership, and programs during my tenure whenever necessary.”