The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over alleged abuse of office and diversion of public funds.
The anti-graft agency, in a notice published on its official platform, called on members of the public with useful information on her whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide through the numbers provided.
According to the EFCC, Umar Farouq, 52, is an indigene of Zamfara State, with her last known address listed as EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.
The former minister served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2023.
The commission is currently investigating alleged fraud to the tune of N37bn linked to the ministry during her tenure.
Earlier, on April 16, 2026, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo, Abuja, issued a warrant for her arrest.
The presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, also granted an arrest warrant against a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali.
The court order followed an application by the EFCC after the defendants reportedly failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment.
Umar Farouq, Alkali, and one Sani Mohammed are facing a 21-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants misappropriated about $1.3m and N746.6m.
According to the commission, part of the funds was meant to be refunded to the ministry after payments made under a social intervention programme but was allegedly diverted for personal use.
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