The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has issued a wanted notice for Sadiya Umar Farouq, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, in connection with purported fraud, misuse of her official position, and the misappropriation of public funds.
- The EFCC has listed former minister Sadiya Umar Farouq as wanted in connection with suspected fraudulent activities.
- A warrant for her arrest was previously issued by a court after she reportedly did not show up for her arraignment.
- The investigation looks into claims that public funds meant for humanitarian programs may have been misused.
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The former minister worked in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration from 2019 to 2023.
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The anti-graft agency announced the development in a public notice released on Friday, which included the former minister’s photograph and details of her last known address in Abuja. According to the EFCC, Farouq is wanted in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations of criminal conspiracy and financial misconduct involving funds managed during her time in office.
The commission encourages anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact the nearest EFCC office or security agency. The notice listed her last known address as EN 008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja. This follows an arrest warrant issued by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo after Farouq and former permanent secretary Bashir Nura Alkali allegedly failed to appear for arraignment in April 2026. The former minister is being investigated over alleged financial irregularities reportedly involving about $1.3 million, N746.6 million, and other public funds connected to programmes supervised by the ministry.
Sadiya Umar Farouq served as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development under former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2023.
During her tenure, the ministry coordinated several major federal government intervention programmes, including conditional cash transfers, humanitarian support initiatives, disaster response operations, and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.
The ministry also played a major role during the COVID-19 pandemic by distributing relief materials and social intervention packages across the country. However, the ministry repeatedly faced public scrutiny and allegations concerning the management and disbursement of intervention funds, with critics questioning transparency and accountability in the execution of several programmes.
The EFCC investigation is part of a wider probe into activities within the humanitarian affairs ministry during the previous administration. The anti-graft agency has not yet disclosed full details of the charges expected to be filed against the former minister, but court proceedings are expected to continue following the wanted declaration and arrest warrant.