By KEMI KASUMU
Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has denied knowing James Okwete, a contractor arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), The DEFENDER can authoritatively report.
The former Minister stated this in a stated titled “THE ATTACK ON MY PERSON”, which she posted via her X account on Tuesday.
The EFCC had reportedly arrested Okwete for allegedly laundering N37 billion.
According to media reports, the arrest coincided with the ongoing probe of the Humanitarian Ministry and three ministers who served under the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The contractor, who allegedly transferred over N6 billion (N6,746,034,000.00) to Bureau De Change operators, also withdrew N540,000,000.00 in cash. Okwete said to have purchased luxury cars with N288,348,600.00, and bought luxury houses in Abuja and Enugu with N2,195,115,000.00.
Okwete, who was alleged to have used 47 companies to secure federal government contracts to the tune of N27,423,824,339.86, has 53 companies allegedly traced to him.
But the former minister, in a statement released on her social media handle on Monday, described her link to the contractor as spurious.
THE ATTACK ON MY PERSON
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,
— Sadiya Umar Farouq CON (@Sadiya_farouq) December 25, 2023
Vuewung the reports as attack on person, Hajiya Farouq said, “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.
“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 on 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.”
