Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has strongly denied any involvement in an alleged investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the activities of James Okwete. In a statement titled 'The Attack on my Person' released on Christmas Day, Farouq dismissed the allegations as baseless and malicious attacks on her character, asserting her intention to pursue legal action in response.

Farouq emphasized her lack of knowledge about James Okwete and stated that he had no association with her. She expressed her pride in serving the country as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and affirmed her readiness to defend her actions, stewardship, and programs during her tenure when called upon to do so.

This development occurred shortly after President Bola Tinubu directed the immediate payment of outstanding stipends owed to NPower beneficiaries across the country. Farouq was responsible for the NPower scheme, a federal government initiative aimed at alleviating poverty and addressing youth unemployment in Nigeria. The scheme faced challenges, with beneficiaries protesting non-payment of stipends in various parts of the country.

In response to the lingering issue, Tinubu issued a directive for over 400,000 NPower beneficiaries to receive their stipends. The Minister's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, confirmed the release of funds and highlighted the renewed hope for Nigerian youths during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Furthermore, the EFCC's arrest of a contractor named James Okwete is related to the ongoing probe of N37 billion allegedly laundered by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.

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