From Victor Osula, Abuja
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 criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds.
The anti-graft agency made the announcement through a wanted notice published on its official platform on Saturday, coming days after a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for her arrest over her failure to appear for arraignment.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court had, on April 16, ordered the arrest of Farouq and a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, after both defendants failed to appear in court for arraignment.
The EFCC is prosecuting the defendants on a 21-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent award of contracts, and alleged conversion of public funds estimated at about $1.3 million and ₦746,574,303.
According to the charge, Farouq and Alkali, while serving in their official capacities between May 8, 2021 and September 22, 2022, allegedly diverted funds linked to the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO). The funds were reportedly excess payments made under a contract involving Visual ICT Limited for the validation of beneficiaries under the Rapid Response Register programme.
EFCC prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, had informed the court that the charge had been filed since December 15, 2025, but the defendants could not initially be served. He further told the court that Farouq had previously informed the commission she was travelling to Saudi Arabia for medical reasons in 2024, with her passport released for the trip, but she allegedly failed to return it or provide verifiable medical documentation. Jacobs also stated that despite bail arrangements, the defendants failed to report back, prompting the prosecution to seek enforcement measures.
Following the court order and ongoing investigation, the EFCC subsequently declared Farouq wanted, urging members of the public to provide credible information that could assist in locating her.
According to the commission, Farouq, 52, an indigene of Zamfara State, is being sought in connection with investigations into the alleged misuse of government funds during her tenure as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2023.
The notice, signed by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, disclosed that the former minister’s last known address is EN 008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.
“The public is hereby notified that Sadiya Umar Farouq, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in an alleged case of Criminal Conspiracy, Abuse of Office, Diversion of Public Funds”, the statement read.
The EFCC encouraged members of the public to report to any of its zonal offices nationwide or contact its official communication channels to support ongoing investigations.
