[BREAKING]: Court Orders Arrest Of Ex-Minister Sadiya Farouq, Perm Sec Over N2.49bn Fraud Allegations (Full Details)

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A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, has ordered the arrest of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, alongside a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, over their failure to appear in court.

The ruling was delivered on Thursday by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is prosecuting the defendants.

The anti-graft agency had filed a 21-count charge against the defendants, bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds. According to the EFCC, about $1.3 million and over N746 million—amounting to approximately N2.49 billion—were allegedly misappropriated during their time in office.

At the court session, the third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, was present, while Farouq and Alkali were notably absent.

Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, told the court that all defendants had been duly served with the necessary documents but failed to appear despite being aware of the arraignment date.

He further disclosed that the former minister had earlier secured approval to travel abroad for medical treatment but had neither returned her international passport nor submitted any medical report to the EFCC.

In response, defence counsel, Abdul Ibrahim, attributed Farouq’s absence to ill health and sought to present an affidavit as proof. However, the court declined to admit the document.

The defence also requested a six-week adjournment to enable the defendants to appear in court, but the prosecution opposed the application, urging the court to enforce compliance.

The EFCC insisted that the defendants had repeatedly failed to honour court summons and bail conditions, prompting the request for arrest warrants.

In his ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the application and issued bench warrants for the arrest of both Farouq and Alkali.

The case has been adjourned to May 18, 2026, for arraignment and continuation of trial proceedings.