By Abdullahi Inuwa
Former National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, has claimed she suffered retaliation after exposing alleged financial irregularities involving billions of naira, insisting that her decision to blow the whistle turned her from a key witness into an accused person.
Shehu alleged that despite submitting what she described as extensive documentary evidence to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), she was met with reprisals rather than recognition for reporting the alleged misconduct.
At the centre of her claims is an alleged ₦44 billion fraud, which she said she reported to investigators with detailed records of financial transactions and procedural breaches.
According to the former NSIPA chief, she handed over documents tracing suspicious transfers, including evidence of alleged violations of financial regulations involving the Office of the Accountant-General and the supervising ministry.
She further alleged that the outstanding ₦3 billion from COVID-19 intervention funds was paid into 11 different accounts without her knowledge, approval or authorisation.
“I gave the EFCC documents and evidence. The facts speak for themselves,” Shehu declared.
“I provided everything needed to clear my name of these false allegations, including records of the transfers and evidence of breaches in financial procedures, from the Office of the Accountant-General to the Ministry, including the payment of the remaining ₦3 billion from the COVID-19 funds into 11 accounts without my authorisation, consent or approval.”
She maintained that instead of being applauded for exposing the alleged irregularities, she became the victim of what she described as retaliation.
“I reported all of this to the EFCC, yet instead of being commended for speaking up, I faced reprisal,” she said.
Her remarks have reignited public interest in the ongoing investigations surrounding the management of Nigeria’s social intervention programmes, with observers calling for a transparent probe into the allegations and the claims of whistleblower victimisation.
The EFCC has continued its investigations into financial activities linked to the agency, while Shehu insists the documentary evidence she submitted supports her claims and should ultimately vindicate her position.
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