The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over alleged abuse of office and diversion of public funds.
The anti-graft agency, in a notice published on its official platform, urged members of the public with useful information regarding her whereabouts to contact any EFCC office nationwide.
According to the commission, Farouq, 52, an indigene of Zamfara State, has her last known address at EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Farouq served as minister between 2019 and 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The EFCC is currently investigating alleged fraud amounting to N37 billion linked to the ministry during her tenure.
Kano Times reports that on April 16, 2026, a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo issued a warrant of arrest against the former minister.
The presiding judge, Jude Onwuegbuzie, also approved the arrest of Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry.
The court granted the order following an application by the EFCC after the defendants failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment.
Farouq, Alkali and one Sani Mohammed are facing a 21-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants misappropriated about $1.3 million and N746.6 million, part of funds meant to be refunded to the ministry under a social intervention programme but allegedly diverted for personal use.
