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EFCC declares ex-minister Sadiya Umar Farouq wanted over alleged ₦37bn fraud
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 the anti-graft agency’s website, the EFCC called on members of the public with useful information about her whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide.
According to the commission, 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 EFCC is currently investigating the ministry she supervised over an alleged ₦37 billion fraud linked to social intervention programmes.
Earlier on April 16, 2026, an FCT High Court sitting in Apo issued a warrant for her arrest after she allegedly failed to appear for arraignment.
The presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, also approved the arrest of Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry.
Farouq, Alkali, and one Sani Mohammed are facing a 21-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly misappropriated about $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million, funds said to be linked to refunds from payments made under a federal social intervention programme.
The commission alleged that part of the money meant to be returned to the ministry was diverted for personal use.
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