The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Sadiya Umar Farouq, a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development wanted for alleged abuse of office and diversion of public funds.
The anti-graft agency posted the wanted notice on its website on Saturday, May 9, 2026. According to the EFCC notice, Farouq, 52, is an indigene of Zamfara State, and her last known address is EN 008, Okpo River, Off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.
The notice signed by the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, urged members of the public with information on her whereabouts to contact the Commission.
The EFCC notice read, “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 Commission directed anyone with useful information to contact its offices in Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, PortHarcourt or Abuja.
The EFCC is currently investigating alleged fraud involving about N37 billion linked to ministry during her tenure.
On April 16, 2026, a Federal High Court issued a warrant for Umar Farouq’s arrest after she and her defendants failed to appear for arraignment.
On April 16, 2026, a Federal Capital Territory High Court n Apo issued an arrest warrant against Umar Farouq.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie also granted an order of arrest against Bashir Nura Alkali, a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry.
The order was granted following an application by the EFCC after defendants failed to appear in court for their scheduled arrangement.
Umar Farouq, Allkali, and one Sani Muhammad are facing a 21-count charge filed by the EFCC bordering an alleged criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants misappropriate about $1.3 million and N746.6 million meant for government programmes.
Farouq served as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 -2023.
-9News Nigeria.
