 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over alleged abuse of office and diversion of public funds.
In a notice published on its official platform, the anti-graft agency called on members of the public with useful information regarding her whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide.
According to the EFCC, Farouq, 52, is an indigene of 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 commission is currently investigating the ministry she supervised over an alleged N37 billion fraud linked to social intervention programmes.
The development follows an arrest warrant issued against the former minister by a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo on April 16, 2026.
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Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, who presided over the matter, also approved the arrest of Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry.
The court granted the order after both defendants reportedly failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment.
Farouq, Alkali and another defendant, Sani Mohammed, are facing a 21-count charge filed by the EFCC bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.
According to the anti-corruption agency, the defendants allegedly misappropriated approximately $1.3 million and N746.6 million.
The EFCC further alleged that part of the funds, which were expected to be refunded to the ministry after disbursements made under a federal social intervention programme, was unlawfully diverted for personal use.
The case adds to growing scrutiny surrounding the management of public funds under the ministry’s social investment schemes during the previous administration.