The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has invited the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq.

The invitation was in respect of the N37.17 billion allegedly laundered by the ministry through a contractor, James Okwete.

The former minister was asked to appear before interrogators at the EFCC headquarters, Abuja on Wednesday.

The EFCC said in the  letter sent to the ex-minister that the invitation was in pursuant to Section 38 (I) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

The ex-minister could not be reached for comments on Saturday as her telephone indicated that it was switched off.

When our correspondent contacted her former media aide, Nneka Ikem, over the development, she was not forthcoming.

“As you’re asking me, I’ll be asking you too, where did you learn that the EFCC has invited her?“ Ikem queried before ending the call. Subsequent calls indicated that her phone had been switched off.

Umar-Farouq had earlier denied knowledge of the contractor, James Okwete, who is still being held by the anti-graft agency.

The former minister had tweeted on her X handle on Monday, denying knowledge of the case.

“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.

“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.

“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,” she tweeted.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, declined comments on the ex-minister’s invitation, saying: “I’m not around at the moment, and I can’t speak on that, please.”

The N37.1bn was allegedly transferred from Federal Government’s coffers to 38 different bank accounts domiciled in five legacy commercial banks belonging to or connected with Okwete.