Npower On The Former Minister In Charge Of Npower Denying Alleged Money Laundering And Npower Payment

According to Npower on the former Minster in charge of Npower denying alleged money laundering, the former Minister in charge of Npower, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has alleged that some people were linking her to a purported investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the activities of James Okwete.

According to Npower, in a statement titled, ‘The Attack on my Person’ posted via the former Minister in charge of Npower, X handle on Xmas day, Sadiya Umar Farouq, said such unfounded allegations were malicious attacks on her personality and promised to take legal actions.

The former Minister in charge of Npower said she knew nothing about James Okwete, the former Minister in charge of Npower, Sadiya Umar Farouq also said she was proud to have served the country.

According to Npower, the former Minister in charge of Npower, Sadiya Umar Farouq wrote, “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. This linkages and associations to my personality are spurious.

According to Npower, the former Minster in charge of Npower also wrote “While I resist the urge to engage in any media trial whatsoever, I have however contacted my Lawyer to explore possible options to seek redress on the malicious attack on my personality.

The former Minster in charge of Npower also wrote “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.”

This was coming from the former minister in charge of Npower, days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the immediate payment of the backlog of stipends owed to Npower batch c across the Federation.

Sadiya Umar Farouq was the former Minister in charge of Npower, Npower is a federal government initiative established by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to move Nigerian youths from poverty and address youth unemployment across the Federation.

Npower, however, was hit with a lot of setbacks as Npower batch c lamented non-payment of their stipends, resulting in a series of protests in Abuja and other parts of the country by the Npower batch c.

According to Npower on Npower payment, in addressing the lingering Npower payment issue before Christmas, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made a directive on Wednesday last week that Npower batch c, over 400,000 in number across the Federation be paid their stipend.

On behalf of the new Minister in charge of Npower, Dr Betta Edu, her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, issued a statement on Friday.

According to Npower, Mr Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair said, “Announcing the release of funds, the Minister in charge of Npower, Dr Betta Edu, said it was indeed a renewed hope for Npower batch c for the Xmas and New Year festivities.

“The minister in charge of Npower, Dr. Betta Edu, pointed out that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s interest in Nigerian youths was evidenced by the numerous policies and programmes of his administration largely tailored toward providing employment opportunities for them.

According to Npower, the Minster in charge of Npower, Dr Betta Edu said “I stayed awake with the Npower team till 3 am at the office to ensure Npower batch c receive their Npower payment before Xmas in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Npower, the Minster in charge of Npower further said “Now, I can confirm to you that the payment of Npower batch c has commenced and the evidence is in the bank accounts of Npower batch c.”

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a contractor by the name James Okwete in connection with the ongoing probe of ₦37,000,000,000 allegedly laundered by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development the ministry in charge of Npower.

According to Npower, a top EFCC official, on Sunday, said the contractor had made useful statements concerning Umar-Farouk and former directors-general of the ministry.

The development coincides with the probe of three other ministers, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, for graft estimated at ₦150,000,000,000

“It is not only Umar-Farouk the former Minister in charge of Npower, we are investigating. Three other former ministers are also under probe. They were allegedly involved in graft to the tune of ₦150,000,000,000,’’ a credible source in the EFCC said.

According to Npower, sources said Umar-Farouk the former Minister in charge of Npower, and some former agencies’ directors-general under the ministry might be arrested by the anti-graft commission following the details of the financial misappropriation so far revealed to investigators by the contractor.

According to Npower, investigation revealed that the ₦37.1bn was transferred from the Federal Government’s coffers and sent to thirty eight different bank accounts domiciled in five legacy commercial banks belonging to or connected with James Okwete.

Impeccable sources had confirmed to Npower, on Sunday that James Okwete, who is being held at the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, had been cooperating with investigators.

According to Npower, a source said, “The contractor, Mr James Okwete, who was used in laundering the money had been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He is currently detained in our custody and has been giving investigators more details that have indicted the former Minister in charge of Npower, Sadiya Umar Farouq and some Director Generals under the ministry, and they may be brought to EFCC anytime soon too.”