The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) 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 statement issued on Saturday, the anti-graft agency called on members of the public with useful information regarding her whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide.
The EFCC said the 52-year-old former minister, who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2023, is an indigene of Zamfara State. Her last known address was listed as EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.
The commission is investigating the ministry she headed over an alleged N37 billion fraud.
Earlier, on April 16, 2026, a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, issued a warrant for her arrest alongside Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry.
The presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, granted the arrest order after the defendants failed to appear in court for their scheduled arraignment.
Umar Farouq, Alkali and one Sani Mohammed are facing a 21-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly misappropriated about $1.3 million and N746.6 million.
The anti-corruption agency further alleged that part of the funds, which were meant to be refunded to the ministry under a social intervention programme, was diverted for personal use.
