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 abuse of office and diversion of public funds. The development marks a major escalation in an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct linked to the ministry.
In a notice published on its official website, the EFCC called on members of the public to provide information that could assist in locating the former minister, urging anyone with useful details to contact its offices or designated hotlines.
The announcement follows a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court order in Abuja, which reportedly issued a warrant for her arrest after she failed to appear in court for her arraignment. The case involves allegations of $1.3 million and N746.6 million in alleged fraud.
On April 16, 2026, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ordered the arrest of Farouq and a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, after both defendants failed to appear for the start of their trial. Only the third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, was present when proceedings began.
The EFCC is prosecuting all three individuals on a 21-count charge involving criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds during their tenure at the ministry.
According to investigators, part of the allegations centers on $1.3 million reportedly meant to be refunded to the ministry by Visual ICT Limited. The funds were said to represent excess payments made under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) programme for validating the Rapid Response Register beneficiaries.
One of the charges states that Farouq and Alkali allegedly handled the funds between May 2021 and September 2022 while serving in official capacities, and are accused of failing to ensure the money was properly accounted for or refunded, contrary to provisions of the Penal Code.
The case is part of wider scrutiny of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, which has faced multiple allegations over the management of social intervention funds and emergency response programmes.
Farouq, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, oversaw key federal initiatives including Conditional Cash Transfers and other social investment programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable Nigerians.
Her declaration as wanted by the EFCC represents a significant development in the case and could lead to further enforcement actions if she does not present herself to authorities. As of now, she and her legal team have not issued any public response to the allegations or the EFCC’s notice.