The former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouk said she has asked her legal team to seek redress on attack on her person over alleged N37.1b fraud in her former ministry.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has reportedly arrested Okwete, in connection with the ongoing probe into the N37bn allegedly laundered by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development under the former Minister.

The former Minister in a short statement posted on her X Account said her linkage or association to one James Okwete, alleged to be a contractor with the ministry was spurious, adding that Okwete is completely unknown to her.

“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.”

A top EFCC official was quoted to have said that the arrested Ekwete had made useful statements concerning Umar-Farouk and former directors-general of the ministry.

The official was also said to have revealed that three other ministers, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, were being probed for graft estimated at N150bn.

“It is not only Umar-Farouk we are investigating. Three other former ministers are also under probe. They were allegedly involved in graft to the tune of N150bn,’’ the unnamed EFCC official was quoted by some newspapers.

It was revealed that the N37.1bn was transferred from the Federal Government’s coffers and sent to 38 different bank accounts domiciled in five legacy commercial banks belonging to or connected with Okwete.

Following receipt of the funds, Okwete allegedly 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.

Fifty-three companies were allegedly traced to Okwete, who was also said to have used 47 of the companies to lift Federal Government contracts amounting to N27, 423, 824, 339.86.

He is also linked with 143 bank accounts in 12 commercial banks in which 134 accounts are corporate accounts linked to different companies.