EFCC traces N30bn NSIPA cash to private accounts, freezes money

Of the N44 billion obtained by the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), N30 billion has been traced by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The anti-graft agency has frozen the numerous accounts to which certain NSIPA officials transferred the funds as part of an ongoing investigation.

It was discovered that N44 billion had been surreptitiously transferred from NSIPA's accounts into business and private accounts connected to front companies.

A few of the agency's officials have been the subject of investigations.

Halima Shehu, the agency's suspended National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), was questioned by EFCC agents for hours yesterday.

Additionally, Mr. Bwai Adamu Hamza, the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) for NSIPA, was detained by the anti-graft commission.

It was discovered that N44 billion had been surreptitiously transferred from NSIPA's accounts into business and private accounts connected to front companies.

A few of the agency's officials have been the subject of investigations.

Halima Shehu, the agency's suspended National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), was questioned by EFCC agents for hours yesterday.

Additionally, Mr. Bwai Adamu Hamza, the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) for NSIPA, was detained by the anti-graft commission.

Umar-Farouq was invited by the EFCC due to allegations that she laundered N37, 170,855,753.44 while she was employed, allegedly through the contractor James Okwete. The accusations were refuted by the former minister.

There were clear signs last night that the EFCC might declare the former minister wanted after he failed to show up without providing an explanation.

Following the revelation that N44 billion in cash had been removed from the agency's vaults, investigations revealed that the ongoing NSIPA investigation had taken on a new dimension.

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