Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq a wanted person, as the agency intensifies its crackdown on alleged corruption tied to a federal social intervention programme.
The anti-corruption body published a formal wanted notice on its official platform on Friday, urging any member of the public with knowledge of Farouq’s whereabouts to contact the nearest EFCC office.
Farouq, 52, who hails from Zamfara State, served in the cabinet of former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2023. Her last known address was listed by the commission as EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.
The move follows an April 16, 2026 ruling by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, who ordered her arrest after she and a co-defendant failed to appear in court for arraignment.
Also named in the arrest order is Bashir Nura Alkali, a former permanent secretary in the ministry. Both, along with one Sani Mohammed, are facing a 21-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.
At the heart of the case is the alleged misappropriation of approximately $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million in public funds linked to a government social intervention scheme. Prosecutors allege that monies meant to be returned to the ministry following programme disbursements were instead siphoned for private gain.
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