The legal counsel to the former Minister of Humanitarian Services, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, Sir Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN), has addressed the inaccurate media reports circulating about his client. He clarified that she did not disregard the invitation extended to her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Okpeseyi stated that, on the contrary, she was willing to make herself available to provide explanations to the anti-graft agency's operatives who were examining the financial records of two financially independent agencies under the ministry, including the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).

He explained that he visited the Commission's headquarters to submit a letter seeking an extension of time for his client, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, to offer clarifications about the activities of the agencies under her ministry. Although the EFCC has not formally responded, the leadership expressed understanding, resulting in an agreement to postpone the originally scheduled interview to a later date.

Once a new date is set by the Commission, the former minister will be available to address questions and provide clarifications on aspects of her stewardship that are unclear to the Commission. Okpeseyi also refuted the impression created in some sections of the media that his client was invited for alleged misappropriation of funds, emphasizing that she was invited to provide clarifications on certain expenditures by the agencies under her ministry.

The EFCC had previously stated that it would not arrest Sadiya for the alleged N37.1 billion fraud in agencies under the ministry and confirmed that she did not disregard their invitation. The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, explained that the former minister sent a letter citing health challenges as the reason for not attending the invitation and that her lawyer briefed the anti-graft agency on the situation. Oyewale also mentioned that the N37.1 billion figure being circulated might not be accurate, as the investigation was ongoing.

Furthermore, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, who was arrested in connection with the ongoing probe of the ministry, was released but directed to appear for interrogation until the investigation concludes. The former minister, through her media aide, Alexander Udeh, responded to reports linking her to a contractor under investigation, denying any association with the individual and expressing readiness to defend her actions and stewardship during her tenure. It was also reported that the agencies under scrutiny had their budgets independently administered, with proposed expenditures requiring ministerial approval if they exceeded a certain threshold. These are some of the areas the former minister is expected to clarify during her rescheduled interview with the EFCC to aid in tracking the investigated funds.

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