EFCC Declares Ex-Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq Wanted Over Alleged ₦37bn Fraud

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged fraud linked to the ministry she headed.

In a notice published on its website, the anti-graft agency called on members of the public with useful information on her whereabouts to contact any of its offices through the telephone numbers provided.

The commission said Farouq, 52, is an indigene of Zamfara State, with her last known address listed as EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama.

Farouq served as minister between 2019 and 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The EFCC is investigating the ministry over an alleged ₦37 billion fraud. On April 16, 2026, a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo issued a warrant for her arrest.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie also granted an order for the arrest of Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry.

The court granted the application after the defendants failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment.

Farouq, Alkali, and Sani Mohammed are facing a 21-count charge filed by the EFCC, bordering on criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.

According to the commission, the defendants allegedly misappropriated about $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million. The agency further alleged that part of the funds, meant to be refunded to the ministry after payments made under a social intervention programme, was diverted for personal use.