The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, , wanted over allegations bordering on abuse of office and diversion of public funds.
The anti-graft agency announced the development in a notice published on its official platform, calling on members of the public with useful information about the former minister’s whereabouts to contact the commission through its offices and official phone lines.
The move marks a fresh escalation in the ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct linked to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs during Farouq’s tenure under former President .
The declaration followed an arrest warrant reportedly issued by a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja after Farouq failed to appear in court for arraignment in a case involving alleged fraud totaling $1.3 million and N746.6 million.
Justice of the FCT High Court had on April 16, 2026, ordered the arrest of Farouq and a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, , after both defendants were absent at the commencement of trial proceedings.
However, the third defendant, , was present in court when the matter was called.
The EFCC is prosecuting the defendants on a 21-count charge involving alleged criminal breach of trust, abuse of office and diversion of public funds linked to activities within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
According to the commission, part of the allegations relates to $1.3 million allegedly due for refund to the ministry by Visual ICT Limited after what investigators described as excess payments made under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office programme for the validation of Rapid Response Register beneficiaries.
Court documents reportedly stated that the funds were entrusted to ministry officials between May 2021 and September 2022 but were allegedly diverted in violation of the Penal Code.
The case adds to growing scrutiny surrounding the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the management of federal social intervention and emergency response programmes.
Farouq served as minister during the Buhari administration and supervised major intervention initiatives, including the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme and other social investment programmes targeted at vulnerable Nigerians.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Farouq nor her legal representatives had publicly responded to the EFCC’s declaration or the allegations before the court.
