The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) 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.
In a statement published on its official website, the anti-graft agency called on members of the public with useful information regarding her whereabouts to contact any EFCC office using the numbers provided in the notice.
“Farouq, 52, is an indigene of Zamfara State and her last known address is EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu street, Maitama, Abuja,” the wanted notice reads.
Umar Farouq served as minister between 2019 and 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The EFCC is currently investigating the ministry she supervised over an alleged ₦37 billion fraud.
Earlier, on April 16, 2026, an Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo issued a warrant for her arrest.
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 following an application by the EFCC after the defendants failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment.
Umar Farouq, Alkali, and one Sani Mohammed are facing a 21-count charge filed by the EFCC, bordering on alleged breach of trust and abuse of office.
According to the anti-graft agency, the defendants allegedly misappropriated about $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million.
The EFCC further alleged 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.
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