By Our Reporter
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over alleged fraud and diversion of public funds linked to an ongoing investigation into the ministry’s financial activities.
In a statement issued by the anti-graft agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the commission disclosed that the former minister is being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds during her tenure under the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the commission, the 52-year-old former minister, who hails from Zamfara State, was last seen at her residence located at EN 008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.
The declaration follows an arrest warrant earlier issued by a Federal High Court in Abuja against Sadiya Farouq and a former permanent secretary in the ministry, Nura Alkali, after both defendants reportedly failed to appear before the court for arraignment.
The ministry is currently under investigation over an alleged N37 billion fraud involving the mismanagement of funds earmarked for social intervention programmes. The EFCC alleged that part of the funds, amounting to about 1.3 million dollars and over N746 million, were unlawfully diverted for personal use instead of being returned to government coffers.
The commission further appealed to members of the public with useful information regarding the whereabouts of the former minister to report to any EFCC office nationwide, the nearest police station, or other security agencies.
The development has continued to generate widespread reactions across the country, with many Nigerians calling for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, especially those intended for humanitarian and poverty alleviation programmes.
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