The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, has upheld an arrest warrant issued against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, over her alleged involvement in a case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds amounting to $1.3 million and N746.7 million.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, on Monday, May 18, 2026, affirmed the warrant earlier issued on April 16, 2026, as proceedings resumed in the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, against the former minister and two others, Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed.
At Monday’s sitting, EFCC lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment but noted that the first defendant was absent without explanation. He reminded the court that a bench warrant had earlier been issued following her failure to appear.
Jacobs further argued that the second defendant had since submitted himself to the commission following the earlier order and urged the court to maintain the warrant against the former minister while considering lifting it for the co-defendant who had complied.
He also referenced an earlier undertaking by defence counsel, Oladipo Okpesheyi (SAN), who had requested a one-month grace period to produce the first defendant, noting that the court had already declined such delay under provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Responding, Okpesheyi informed the court that his client was currently receiving medical treatment in Egypt and would be unfit to attend proceedings for about two months, adding that a medical report had been received late the previous night.
He therefore requested an adjournment to enable her recovery and subsequent appearance in court.
However, Justice Onwuegbuzie expressed concern over what he described as repeated attempts to delay the trial, warning that the court would not tolerate further adjournments.
He held that the arrest warrant against the former minister remained valid and cautioned that failure to produce her at the next sitting would attract appropriate judicial action.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to June 8, 2026, for arraignment.
