The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over an ongoing fraud investigation. In a public notice released on Saturday, the anti graft agency asked anyone with useful information on her whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide or the nearest police station.
According to the EFCC notice, “Farouq, 52, is an indigene of Zamfara State and her last known address is EN 008 Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.” The Commission says she is wanted in connection with alleged offences bordering on money laundering and diversion of public funds linked to social intervention programmes handled during her time in office.
The wanted declaration follows an earlier bench warrant issued by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, after Farouq repeatedly failed to appear for arraignment on charges filed by the EFCC. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie had ordered her arrest alongside the ministry’s former permanent secretary, Bashir Nura Alkali, in relation to alleged diversion of funds meant for the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO).
Court filings cited by the EFCC allege that Umar Farouq and Alkali diverted about 1.3 million dollars and ₦746.5 million that should have been refunded by a contractor, Social Development by Visual ICT Limited, instead converting the sums to personal use. The former minister has previously faced public scrutiny over her stewardship of N‑Power and other social investment schemes under ex President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
With the latest notice, the EFCC is urging members of the public to volunteer credible information that could lead to her arrest, assuring that all details provided will be treated with utmost confidentiality. The development marks a significant escalation in the case as investigators move to compel the former minister’s appearance in court to answer the charges.
About the author
Joshua survives knockdowns, stops Prenga
Two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua recovered from two knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga with a second-round knockout in Jeddah on Sunday.espn+1 Joshua was twice put on the canvas in the opening round, but he survived the pressure and returned stronger in the second. He regrouped behind his jab, pushed Prenga back to the ropes and then unloaded a powerful right hand that sent the Albanian crashing through the ropes, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 2:43 of round two.wtop+1 The victory was Joshua’s first fight of 2026 and marked a successful return to the ring after a tense opening round. Reports say the win could set up a blockbuster all-British showdown with Tyson Fury later this year.
BBNaija 11: Biggie divides housemates into male, female teams for tasks
According to Biggie, the house will now operate in two groups — the ladies and the guys — with wager tasks, arena games and other activities contested along those lines. The move is expected to raise the stakes in the house, as contestants must work more closely with members of their own team to win rewards and gain an advantage. The new structure is also likely to affect alliances and strategy, since housemates will now compete not just individually but as part of a broader team battle.
Troops nab wanted soldier accused of supplying military uniforms to terrorists
The soldier, identified as Private Mohammed Yusuf Amutu of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, was earlier declared wanted after allegedly engaging in the illegal sale and diversion of military uniforms to non‑state actors. According to an Army statement, Amutu had absconded from his unit on 3 June 2026, prompting a manhunt by military authorities. Army spokesperson Major Oluwatope Dorcas Aluko said any personnel found aiding terrorists or criminals through the unauthorized sale or distribution of military kit would face the full weight of both military and civil laws. She added that intensive efforts were launched to locate and apprehend Amutu so he could face investigation and appropriate disciplinary action under extant military regulations. The case has raised fresh concerns about how genuine military gear ends up in the hands of terrorists and bandits, who often use such uniforms to disguise […]
New PM Burnham vows to put Britain’s interest first in Trump ties
Burnham, 56, a veteran Labour politician and former mayor of Greater Manchester, said in a BBC interview that he will always defend the United Kingdom’s national interest, even if it means publicly disagreeing with Trump. “All leaders have to do that. You have to defend your own national interest before anything else. That’s what you’re required to do if you’re to do this job properly,” he said. The new prime minister added that he “may take a different opinion” from Trump and would “of course” be willing to call him out where Britain’s interests are at stake. At the same time, he stressed the importance of the longstanding UK‑US relationship and said he would seek to engage the US president directly and frankly. Shortly after taking office, Burnham held a phone call with Trump which both sides described as “very […]
INEC urges Nigerians to register as CVR closes today
INEC has ruled out any further extension of the nationwide CVR, insisting that voter registration will end today, Sunday 26 July 2026, after a two‑week grace period added earlier this month. The exercise, which began in August 2025 and resumed for its final phase in May, is the last opportunity for new voters to join the register ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement and posts on its official X and Facebook pages, the commission urged citizens who are 18 and above, and others who missed earlier phases, to take advantage of the final hours. Registration centres and INEC offices nationwide are scheduled to operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., including weekends. INEC also highlighted the availability of its online Self‑Service CVR portal, cvr.inecnigeria.org, which allows first‑time voters to complete their registration digitally before visiting a centre […]
Christian killings: Nigeria hiring lobbyists to mask insecurity — Ted Cruz
Cruz said Nigeria’s engagement of a Washington-based lobbying firm was a public relations move meant to soften criticism from the United States rather than confront the insecurity crisis at home. He said Nigerian officials were trying to influence opinion in Washington while failing to address allegations of attacks on Christians and other vulnerable groups. The senator has been at the forefront of calls for sanctions and accountability over alleged religious persecution in Nigeria. His proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 seeks to hold officials responsible for what he describes as the enabling of mass violence against Christians. Reports also said Nigeria signed a $9 million lobbying contract with DCI Group, a US public affairs firm, after being designated a country of particular concern by President Donald Trump. The controversy adds to growing diplomatic tension between Abuja and some […]
Related
Joshua survives knockdowns, stops Prenga
Two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua recovered from two knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga with a second-round knockout in Jeddah on Sunday.espn+1 Joshua was twice put on the canvas in the opening round, but he survived the pressure and returned stronger in the second. He regrouped behind his jab, pushed Prenga back to the ropes and then unloaded a powerful right hand that sent the Albanian crashing through the ropes, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 2:43 of round two.wtop+1 The victory was Joshua’s first fight of 2026 and marked a successful return to the ring after a tense opening round. Reports say the win could set up a blockbuster all-British showdown with Tyson Fury later this year.
BBNaija 11: Biggie divides housemates into male, female teams for tasks
According to Biggie, the house will now operate in two groups — the ladies and the guys — with wager tasks, arena games and other activities contested along those lines. The move is expected to raise the stakes in the house, as contestants must work more closely with members of their own team to win rewards and gain an advantage. The new structure is also likely to affect alliances and strategy, since housemates will now compete not just individually but as part of a broader team battle.
Troops nab wanted soldier accused of supplying military uniforms to terrorists
The soldier, identified as Private Mohammed Yusuf Amutu of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, was earlier declared wanted after allegedly engaging in the illegal sale and diversion of military uniforms to non‑state actors. According to an Army statement, Amutu had absconded from his unit on 3 June 2026, prompting a manhunt by military authorities. Army spokesperson Major Oluwatope Dorcas Aluko said any personnel found aiding terrorists or criminals through the unauthorized sale or distribution of military kit would face the full weight of both military and civil laws. She added that intensive efforts were launched to locate and apprehend Amutu so he could face investigation and appropriate disciplinary action under extant military regulations. The case has raised fresh concerns about how genuine military gear ends up in the hands of terrorists and bandits, who often use such uniforms to disguise […]
INEC urges Nigerians to register as CVR closes today
INEC has ruled out any further extension of the nationwide CVR, insisting that voter registration will end today, Sunday 26 July 2026, after a two‑week grace period added earlier this month. The exercise, which began in August 2025 and resumed for its final phase in May, is the last opportunity for new voters to join the register ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement and posts on its official X and Facebook pages, the commission urged citizens who are 18 and above, and others who missed earlier phases, to take advantage of the final hours. Registration centres and INEC offices nationwide are scheduled to operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., including weekends. INEC also highlighted the availability of its online Self‑Service CVR portal, cvr.inecnigeria.org, which allows first‑time voters to complete their registration digitally before visiting a centre […]
Christian killings: Nigeria hiring lobbyists to mask insecurity — Ted Cruz
Cruz said Nigeria’s engagement of a Washington-based lobbying firm was a public relations move meant to soften criticism from the United States rather than confront the insecurity crisis at home. He said Nigerian officials were trying to influence opinion in Washington while failing to address allegations of attacks on Christians and other vulnerable groups. The senator has been at the forefront of calls for sanctions and accountability over alleged religious persecution in Nigeria. His proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 seeks to hold officials responsible for what he describes as the enabling of mass violence against Christians. Reports also said Nigeria signed a $9 million lobbying contract with DCI Group, a US public affairs firm, after being designated a country of particular concern by President Donald Trump. The controversy adds to growing diplomatic tension between Abuja and some […]
Three Ansaru terrorists linked to Oriire abductions get life jail
Justice Salim Ibrahim delivered the ruling against Abdulrazak Umar, alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, after they pleaded guilty to several terrorism-related charges brought by the Department of State Services (DSS). The defendants were accused of belonging to Darul Salam, a proscribed group linked to Ansaru, and of working with bandits who abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire. They faced a 10‑count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information and incitement through extremist religious ideology. Court documents showed that Umar, in particular, admitted guilt to counts involving training and instructing terror group members via messaging platforms and pushing radical ideology. Justice Ibrahim invoked the maximum penalty of life imprisonment on key counts after the three men admitted being part of the network behind the high‑profile Oriire school kidnappings. […]