Halima Shehu, former chief executive of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), has denied allegations linking her to the diversion of ₦44 billion from the agency’s accounts.
Shehu, who was appointed in October 2023 and suspended by President Bola Tinubu in January 2024, came under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged unauthorised transfers of funds into private and corporate accounts.
In an interview with FactNews, she dismissed the claims as false.
“There was no ₦44 billion. The figures are not even correct. Yes, funds were transferred to commercial banks and payment service providers, but never to my personal accounts,” she said.
“To think that in two days Halima Shehu transferred ₦44 billion to personal accounts—it sounds absurd.”
Shehu described reports that she confessed to moving the money as fabrications.
“I saw breaking news that Halima said she transferred ₦44 billion by mistake. What mistake? That’s stupidity. It never happened,” she said.
She also rejected claims that ₦17.8 billion was discovered in her office, insisting even commercial banks do not hold such cash reserves.
Instead, Shehu alleged that she uncovered questionable financial activities during her tenure.
“I noticed ₦14.8 billion left the agency’s account without my consent or knowledge. As chief accounting officer, I was bypassed in the financial structure of the agency. Transactions went from my boss to my subordinates. And who is my boss? Betta Edu,” she alleged.
