Former National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the controversy surrounding the allegations against her, saying she has suffered reputational damage and hardship despite providing documents to investigators.
Shehu made the appeal in a video message and during an interview on Arise News, where she maintained that she had cooperated with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and provided documents relating to the financial transactions under investigation.
According to the former NSIPA chief, she submitted records of transfers and information which she said showed violations of established financial procedures involving government institutions and the ministry overseeing the programme.
She specifically raised questions about the alleged transfer of about ₦3 billion in remaining COVID-19 funds into 11 accounts, insisting that the transactions were carried out without her authorisation, consent or approval.
Shehu said she had also written to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Presidency and the relevant minister, urging them to follow up with the EFCC on the investigation.
She further disclosed that she had written through the office of the media organisation conducting the interview, but said she had yet to receive a response.
“The prolonged silence has left me in a stage of uncertainty, hardship, and reputational injury,” she said in her appeal.
The former official said her major request was for the investigative reports to be released so that the facts surrounding the case could become clear.
Shehu also made a personal appeal to President Tinubu, whom she addressed as “Baba,” asking him to bring an end to what she described as a painful period in her life.
“Baba, I have been in pain ever since I publicly declared my support for you,” she said, adding that she had faced what she described as malicious attempts against her reputation.
Shehu said she felt that her integrity and years of work had been damaged by the controversy.
She also defended her record at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), insisting that her actions while serving in government were motivated by the public interest.
According to her, she did not divert money meant for poor and vulnerable Nigerians for personal benefit and maintained that government records could demonstrate her position.
During the Arise News interview, Shehu also maintained that she had provided the EFCC with information capable of supporting her defence and said she expected her whistleblowing efforts to be recognised rather than punished.
She was also questioned about allegations concerning the distribution of government funds by hand. She responded that she was not supervising the programme when those activities allegedly occurred and suggested that the official responsible at the time should provide clarification.
The former NSIPA boss is seeking closure and the release of relevant investigative findings, saying she wants the facts to become publicly known and to be able to continue serving Nigeria with her integrity restored.
The allegations and claims made by Shehu remain her account of events. Any criminal liability or financial wrongdoing would have to be established by the relevant investigative authorities and, where applicable, the courts.
