The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mrs. Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over allegations of diversion of public funds, abuse of office, and criminal conspiracy.

The anti-graft agency published the notice on its official website on Saturday.

“The public is hereby notified 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, and diversion of public funds,” the EFCC stated.

According to the commission, members of the public with relevant information on her whereabouts are advised to contact any of its offices in Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, or Abuja.

The EFCC also asked the public to call 08093322644, send an email to info@efcc.gov.ng, or report to the nearest police station.

Mrs. Farouq served as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development under former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2023.

The latest development comes weeks after a court issued a warrant for her arrest and that of a permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr. Bashir Alkali.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court issued the warrant following the failure of the two defendants to appear in court for arraignment over charges linked to an alleged fraud involving $1.3 million and N746.6 million.

The judge granted the application while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by EFCC prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), after both defendants failed to appear in court for their scheduled arraignment.

The EFCC had filed a 21-count charge against the duo, accusing them of criminal breach of trust, fraudulent award of contracts, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds.

According to the commission, the defendants were involved in the alleged mismanagement and diversion of $1.3 million and N746,574,303.

The EFCC further alleged that they converted $1.3 million meant to be refunded to the ministry by a company. The funds were reportedly excess payments made under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office programme for the validation of Rapid Response Register beneficiaries.

Mr. Jacobs stated that the charges were filed on December 15, 2025, but that the two defendants had yet to appear for arraignment.