Court Orders Arrest of Ex-Minister Sadiya Farouq Over Alleged Fraud Trial Absence

Court Orders Arrest of Ex-Minister Sadiya Farouq Over Alleged Fraud Trial Absence

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, after she failed to appear for her scheduled arraignment in an ongoing alleged fraud trial.

The court, presided over by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, also ordered the arrest of Bashir Nura Alkali, a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, following their absence from Thursday’s proceedings despite being duly served.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had approached the court seeking the warrant after the two defendants failed to appear for arraignment alongside a third accused person, Sani Mohammed, in a 21-count charge bordering on alleged breach of trust and abuse of office.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants were involved in the diversion and misappropriation of about $1.3 million and N746.6 million, funds said to be linked to social intervention programmes under the ministry.

The EFCC further claimed that monies meant for refund to government coffers after programme disbursements were allegedly converted for personal use.

At the sitting, only the third defendant, Mohammed, was present in court.

EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court that the charge had been filed on December 15, 2025, but the defendants had repeatedly failed to appear for arraignment.

He noted that earlier assurances by defence counsel that the defendants would be produced in court were not fulfilled, prompting the court to order substituted service.

Jacobs further informed the court that although all defendants had now been served, only Mohammed had shown up, adding that even the surety linked to him had been contacted and was present in court.

On the former minister’s movements, the prosecution counsel told the court that she had earlier sought permission in 2024 to travel to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment, after which her international passport was released to her.

He alleged that she had not returned the passport or submitted any medical report following the trip.

He also challenged a fresh affidavit filed by the defence on the morning of the hearing claiming she was indisposed, arguing that the medical documents attached were issued after the charge had already been instituted and were not available at the time of her passport release.

Counsel to the former minister, Abdul Ibrahim, urged the court to accept the affidavit explaining her absence on health grounds, but the application was rejected.

Justice Onwuegbuzie subsequently granted the EFCC’s application for a bench warrant, ordering security agencies to effect the arrest of the two defendants and produce them in court for arraignment.

Sadiya Umar Farouq served as minister between 2019 and 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.