The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq wanted over allegations of abuse of office and diversion of public funds, calling on members of the public with information about her whereabouts to contact the agency.
The EFCC published a wanted notice on its website identifying Farouq, 52, as a native of Zamfara State whose last known address was in Maitama, Abuja. She served as a minister from 2019 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, overseeing the ministry now under investigation for an alleged N37 billion fraud.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court had on April 16, 2026 issued an arrest warrant against Farouq, with Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie also granting an order of arrest against a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali. The warrants were issued after both defendants failed to appear in court for their scheduled arraignment.
Farouq, Alkali, and one Sani Mohammed face a 21-count charge covering breach of trust and abuse of office filed by the EFCC. The commission alleged that the defendants misappropriated approximately $1.3 million and N746.6 million, with part of the funds meant to be refunded to the ministry after payments under a social intervention program allegedly converted for personal use instead.
