Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Poverty Reduction, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over alleged fraud and abuse of office.
In a statement signed by EFCC spokesperson Adele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency said the former minister is being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy, diversion of public funds, and abuse of office linked to an alleged 37 billion naira fraud case.
Farouq, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2023, was reportedly last seen in Maitama, Abuja.
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The EFCC said a Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier issued an arrest warrant against Farouq and a former permanent secretary in the ministry, Nura Alkali, after both failed to appear for arraignment.
According to the commission, the suspects allegedly misappropriated about $1.3 million and N746.6 million meant for a social intervention programme.
The EFCC has appealed to members of the public with useful information on Farouq’s whereabouts to contact the commission or the nearest security agency.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
