By Our Correspondent
National News – The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, has sustained the arrest warrant issued against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, over alleged fraud involving $1.3 million and N746.7 million.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled on Monday that the bench warrant earlier issued on April 16, 2026, would remain active until the former minister appears before the court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Farouq alongside Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and alleged diversion of public funds.
The case resumed for arraignment, but Farouq was absent from court.
Counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court that the anti-graft agency had complied with previous directives and insisted the former minister must appear before the court.
According to him, the second defendant surrendered himself after the initial arrest order was issued, while Farouq allegedly failed to honour the court process.
Jacobs also reminded the court that Farouq’s lawyer, Oladipo Okpesheyi (SAN), had previously requested one month to produce his client.
He argued that the court should not vacate the arrest order because the undertaking had not been fulfilled.
Responding, Okpesheyi explained that the ex-minister was currently in Egypt receiving medical treatment.
He told the judge that a medical report sent to him indicated she was unfit to travel or appear in court and would require about two months for recovery.
Justice Onwuegbuzie criticised repeated requests for adjournment, warning against delays in the trial.
The judge stated that the court would not tolerate unnecessary postponements and ordered the defence team to ensure Farouq appears at the next hearing.
The matter was adjourned until June 8, 2026, for arraignment, while the arrest warrant against the former minister remains in force.
The EFCC recently declared Farouq wanted and appealed to members of the public with information about her whereabouts to contact the commission.
