Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged abuse of office and diversion of public funds.
The anti-graft agency announced the development in a notice published on its official platform on Friday, calling on members of the public to provide information on her whereabouts.
According to the EFCC, “anybody with useful information as to her whereabouts” should contact the commission through the phone numbers and offices listed in the notice.
The commission disclosed that Farouq, 52, is from Zamfara State, with her last known address listed as EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.
The former minister, who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2023, is currently under investigation over an alleged N37 billion fraud linked to the ministry she supervised.
TheCable reports that an FCT High Court sitting in Apo had earlier issued a warrant for her arrest on April 16, 2026, following her failure to appear in court for arraignment.
Presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, also granted an arrest order against Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry.
Farouq, Alkali, and one Sani Mohammed are facing a 21-count charge bordering on alleged breach of trust and abuse of office.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly misappropriated about $1.3 million and N746.6 million earmarked under a social intervention programme.
The commission further alleged that part of the funds meant to be refunded to the ministry was diverted for personal use.
