Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the immediate-past Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, has denied knowing James Okwete, the contractor arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly laundering N37 billion.

The accusation of involvement, she said, was a vicious attack on her person.Umar-Farouk responded late Monday night in a message posted on her X handle (previously Twitter) and Instagram handle.

According to a national newspaper, findings of an ongoing EFCC investigation found that N37 billion was transferred from the Federal Government's coffers and transmitted to 38 distinct bank accounts domiciled in five legacy commercial banks owned or affiliated to Okwete.

"There have been a number of reports linking me to a purported investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission into the activities of one James Okwete, someone completely unknown to me," Umar-Farouk stated.

“James Okwete neither worked for nor represented me in any way whatsoever. The linkages and associations to my person are spurious. While I resist the urge to engage in any media trial whatsoever, I have however contacted my legal team to explore possible options to seek redress on the malicious attack on my person.”