A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, over their failure to appear for arraignment in an alleged fraud case.
Presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, issued the order on Thursday after both defendants were absent in court. The third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, was present.
The defendants are to be arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 21-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and alleged diversion of public funds totalling $1.3 million and N746.6 million.
According to the charge, the alleged offences occurred between May 2021 and September 2022 in Abuja, when the first and second defendants, in their official capacities, were entrusted with funds linked to the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO). The prosecution alleged that the sum of $1.3 million—purportedly excess payments due for refund by a contractor—was fraudulently converted for personal use.
At the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, told the court that the charges had been filed since December 15, 2025, but the defendants could not initially be served. He added that despite assurances from their legal representatives, they failed to appear in court.
Jacobs further informed the court that the first defendant had earlier been granted leave to travel for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia but had neither returned her passport nor provided medical reports relating to the trip.
Counsel to the first defendant, Abdul Ibrahim, attributed her absence to ill health and sought to tender an affidavit to that effect, but the court declined the application.
The prosecution subsequently applied for a bench warrant, arguing that the defendants, though served and previously granted bail, had failed to honour court summons.
Ruling on the application, Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request and ordered the arrest of the first and second defendants to compel their appearance before the court.
The matter was adjourned to May 18, 2026, for arraignment and commencement of trial.
