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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds. The anti-graft agency published the notice on Saturday through its official platforms as investigations into alleged financial misconduct in the ministry continue. 
According to the EFCC notice, Farouq, 52, is an indigene of Zamfara State, while her last known address was listed as EN 008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja. The commission urged members of the public with useful information regarding her whereabouts to contact any EFCC office nationwide, the nearest police station, or other security agencies. 
The former minister, who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2023, is reportedly being investigated over an alleged ₦37 billion fraud linked to humanitarian and social intervention programmes handled by the ministry during her tenure. Investigators allege that parts of the funds, including about $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million, were diverted instead of being properly utilised for government intervention programmes. 
The development follows an earlier ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which reportedly issued an arrest warrant against Farouq and a former permanent secretary in the ministry after they failed to appear for arraignment. The EFCC said the case forms part of its broader anti-corruption investigations into activities within the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry. 
