The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen N30 billion moved from the accounts of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).
The multiple accounts to which the funds were moved by some unscrupulous NSIPA officials have been frozen by the anti-graft agency as part of an ongoing investigation.
According to information gathered, the N44 billion was moved out of the NSIPA’s accounts without presidential approval.
This comes after the EFCC operatives arrested the suspended National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the NSIPA, Halima Shehu, over an alleged N37.1 billion fraud.
It was learnt that Shehu, who was suspended by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, was arrested by the EFCC operatives in connection with the alleged N37.1 billion fraud as the former National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.
EFCC also arrested NSIPA’s immediate past Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), Mr. Bwai Adamu Hamza.
He was taken into custody following his connection with the fraudulent diversion.
According to the investigation, Hamza, who retired on December 29, was brought in so as to clarify the movement of the cash under his watch.
Shehu and Hamza were said to have “worked closely” in the agency.
A source speaking on the development said, “The National Coordinator and the ex-DFA were grilled by our investigating team for hours on Wednesday. Halima was taken into custody on Tuesday while Hamza was arrested yesterday.
“Based on the new focus of the EFCC chairman, Halima was, on compassionate ground, allowed to go home at about 11pm on Tuesday. She reported for another round of interaction yesterday.
“For Hamza, the EFCC arrested him following intelligence that he might travel out of the country for an engagement.”
“The two persons have made useful statements and we have recovered some records which enabled us to trace and freeze N30 billion. For a long time, the two officials have been working together.
“Immediately Hamza retired, Halima appointed him as a Special Adviser on Finance. He was expected to resume work on Tuesday.
“Our team is, however, working round the clock to uncover the accounts where the remaining N14 billion was hidden.”
Meanwhile, detectives were still profiling many accounts last night to uncover the balance of N14 billion, the Nation reported.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said the EFCC Executive Chairman. Mr. Ola Olukoyede was personally leading the probe.
The source said, “After hours of interrogation and profiling of many accounts, the EFCC was able to confirm that unauthorised N44 billion was suspiciously moved out of NSIPA’s account to some private and corporate accounts.
“So far, N30billion has been traced to some accounts and frozen.
“Our operatives are on the trail of the owners and alleged fronts or firms used to siphon the cash.
“Records showed that the N44 billion was hurriedly moved out of NSIPA’s account in one week.”
