The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested the suspended National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Program Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, over an alleged N37.1 billion fraud.

It was gathered that Shehu was arrested at NSIPA’s office at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

It was learnt that Shehu, who was suspended from office 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.

She served in the position between 2017 and 2022.

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“Halima Shehu is currently in our (EFCC) custody in connection with the ongoing N37.1 billion fraud that took place under the former Humanitarian Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouk.

“Halima was the National Coordinator in charge of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the ministry during Buhari’s tenure, and she’s been queried over some of the money that left the ministry’s coffers through her.

“The former Minister, Sadiya is also expected at the office tomorrow (Wednesday) for questioning over the N37.1 billion money laundering case,” a senior EFCC officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Punch.

The Star had reported on Tuesday that President Tinubu approved Shehu’s immediate suspension and investigation over alleged financial malfeasance.

Her suspension came less than three months after her appointment’s confirmation by the Senate.

The Star