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By 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 on charges of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds.
The anti-corruption agency made the announcement through a search notice posted on its official platform on Saturday, days after the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja issued a warrant of arrest for his failure to appear in court.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court had on April 16 ordered the arrest of Farouq and a former permanent secretary of the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, after both defendants failed to appear in court for their arraignment.
The EFCC is prosecuting the defendants on 21 charges bordering on criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent award of contracts and alleged conversion of public funds estimated at approximately $1.3 million and ₦746,574,303.
According to the indictment, Farouq and Alkali, while serving between May 8, 2021 and September 22, 2022, diverted funds linked to the National Social Safety Net Coordination Office (NASSCO). The funds were reportedly overpayments made under a contract involving Visual ICT Limited to validate beneficiaries under the Rapid Response Register program.
The EFCC Prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, had informed the court that the charge had been filed since December 15, 2025, but the accused could not be served initially. He further told the court that Farouq had previously informed the commission that she was going to Saudi Arabia for medical reasons in 2024, with her passport issued for the trip, but had allegedly not returned it or provided verifiable medical documentation. Jacobs also said that despite the bail agreements, the defendants failed to report, prompting the prosecution to seek coercive measures.
Following the court order and ongoing investigations, the EFCC subsequently declared Farouq wanted, urging the public to come forward with credible information that could help locate her.
According to the commission, Farouq, 52, originally from Zamfara state, is wanted 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 Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, revealed that the former minister’s last known address is EN 008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.
“The public is hereby informed 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 citizens to report to any of its zonal offices nationwide or contact its official communication channels to support the ongoing investigations.
