By Our Correspondent

National News – A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, over her failure to appear for arraignment in an ongoing corruption trial.

The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, also directed security agencies to apprehend a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Alkali, who is standing trial alongside her.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the defendants on a 21-count charge involving alleged criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds.

According to the anti-graft agency, the case concerns about $1.37 million and ₦748 million.

EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court that both defendants were granted administrative bail and duly informed of the charges but repeatedly failed to attend proceedings.

The prosecution further revealed that Farouq allegedly travelled abroad on medical grounds but did not return her international passport as required, nor did she provide any medical report to justify her continued absence.

Despite efforts to secure their attendance, only one defendant was present in court at the resumed hearing.

Defence counsel, Abdul Ibrahim (SAN), argued that his client’s absence was due to ill health and requested six weeks to produce her in court.

However, the judge rejected the request, ruling that the defendants’ repeated absence warranted a bench warrant.

Justice Onwuegbuzie subsequently ordered law enforcement agencies to arrest and produce the defendants in court for arraignment.

The case has been adjourned to May 18, 2026, for further proceedings.

Farouq served as minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2019 and 2023.

The case continues to draw public attention as part of Nigeria’s broader anti-corruption efforts.