TheCable

Sadiya Umar Farouq, former minister of humanitarian affairs, on Monday honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The anti-graft agency is investigating the ministry she oversaw over an alleged N37 billion fraud. 

Umar Farouq was minister from 2019 to 2023 in the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

On January 4, the EFCC asked the ex-minister to turn herself in without further delay, following reports that she had shunned the agency’s invitation.

In response, she said some health challenges prevented her from honouring the invitation.

During her visit to the EFCC office on Monday, Umar Farouq said she remains proud to have served the nation as a minister, adding that she is ready to defend the actions and programmes of her stint as minister.

“I have, at my behest, arrived at the headquarters of the EFCC to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency to offer clarifications in respect of some issues that the commission is investigating,” she said.

“I remain proud to have served my country as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and will defend my actions, stewardship and programmes during my tenure whenever I am called upon to do so.”