EFCC Hunts Former Buhari Minister Sadiya Farouq
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, wanted over alleged criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds.
In a notice posted on its website on Saturday, the anti-graft agency said Farouq, 52, an indigene of Zamfara State, is being sought in connection with an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds. Her last known address was given as EN 008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.
The EFCC notice, signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, urged members of the public with information on her whereabouts to contact the commission’s offices across the country or through its email address [info@efcc.gov.ng](mailto:info@efcc.gov.ng) or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.
Farouq served as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2023.
In April 2026, the EFCC had secured a warrant of arrest against Farouq and a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, over an alleged fraud involving $1.3 million and N746.6 million. The warrant was issued on April 16 by trial judge Jude Onwuegbuzie after the two defendants failed to appear in court for their arraignment.
The commission specifically accused Farouq and Alkali of converting $1.3 million meant to be refunded to the ministry by Visual ICT Limited. The funds were said to be excess payments under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office programme for validating Rapid Response Register beneficiaries. The EFCC also alleged that the defendants were involved in the mismanagement and diversion of N746,574,303.
The declaration of the former minister as wanted marks a significant escalation in the EFCC’s efforts to investigate and prosecute high-profile corruption cases. It also underscores the challenges of tackling graft in Nigeria’s public sector, particularly in ministries and agencies responsible for managing large budgets and social welfare programmes.
As the hunt for the former minister continues, the case is likely to generate significant public interest and scrutiny, given the scale of the alleged fraud and the sensitive nature of the ministry’s mandate. The outcome of the investigation and potential trial could have far-reaching implications for accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s governance system.*