The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over allegations of fraud, abuse of office and diversion of public funds.
In a notice published on its official platform, the anti-graft agency called on members of the public with useful information regarding her whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide through the telephone numbers provided.
According to the EFCC, the 52-year-old former minister, who hails from Zamfara State, was last known to reside at EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Farouq served as minister between 2019 and 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The commission is currently probing alleged financial misconduct involving about N37bn linked to the ministry during her tenure.
Earlier, on April 16, 2026, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo issued a warrant for her arrest.
The presiding judge, Jude Onwuegbuzie, also approved the arrest of Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry.
The arrest warrants followed an application filed by the EFCC after the defendants allegedly failed to appear in court for arraignment.
Farouq, Alkali and another defendant, Sani Mohammed, are facing a 21-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.
The EFCC alleged that the suspects diverted approximately $1.3m and N746.6m, part of which was reportedly meant to be refunded to the ministry after disbursements under a social intervention programme.
The agency further claimed that the funds were allegedly converted for personal use instead of being returned to government coffers.