Dare Babalola
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over allegations of abuse of office and diversion of public funds.
In a notice published on its website on Saturday, the anti-graft agency called on members of the public with useful information regarding her whereabouts to contact any of its offices through the provided channels.
According to the EFCC, Farouq, 52, is from Zamfara State, with her last known address listed as EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Farouq served as minister between 2019 and 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The development follows an arrest warrant issued against her on April 16, 2026, by a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, who presided over the matter, also granted an arrest warrant against Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry.
The court order was granted after an application by the EFCC when the defendants failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment.
Farouq and Alkali, alongside 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.
The commission further claimed that part of the funds, which were meant to be refunded to the ministry after payments under a social intervention programme, was diverted for personal use.
