In response to speculations linking former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq to an alleged fraudulent contractor, James Okwete, the former has denied knowing the latter.
James Okwete was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly laundering N37billion, suspected to belong to the former minister.
According to reports, Okwete was alleged to have transferred 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 bought luxury houses in Abuja and Enugu State with N2,195,115,000.00.
Deeper into the investigations, it was discovered that fifty-three companies were allegedly registered by Okwete, who was also said to have used 47 companies to lift Federal Government contracts amounting to N27,423,824,339.86.
Over 143 bank accounts in 12 commercial banks of which 134 are corporate accounts belonging to different companies were linked to the contractor.
It is belived that the former minister is responsing to news of his arrest and her application by the contractor after his arrest by the EFCC.
Report has it that Okwete made useful statements implicating Umar-Farouk and former director-general of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.
Following the accusations, Umar-Farouq has denied knowing Okwete or ever meeting him.
While responding through her twitter social media handle, the former minister said she served as a minister with every sense of responsibility and would defend her actions whenever called upon to do so.
“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.”
“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.”
She stated that linking Okwete to her is malicious, that she doesn’t know who Okwete is neither did the contractor worked for, nor represented her.
