EFCC Secures Warrant for Ex-Minister Farouq’s Arrest After Repeated Absence from Trial

A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, over her failure to appear for arraignment.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ordered her arrest on Thursday after the prosecution told the court that the ex-minister had repeatedly failed to attend proceedings. The court also ordered the arrest of a permanent secretary in the ministry, Bashir Alkali, who is standing trial alongside her.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting the two defendants on a 21-count charge of alleged criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds. The EFCC claims the funds involved amount to about $1.37 million and ₦748 million.

At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told the court that the defendants had been granted administrative bail and served with the charges but failed to appear. He also noted that the former minister had not returned her international passport after being permitted to travel abroad for medical reasons.

Defence counsel Abdul Ibrahim (SAN) attributed his client’s absence to ill health and asked the court for six weeks to produce her in court. However, Justice Onwuegbuzie rejected the request and granted the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant.

The judge ordered security agencies to arrest the defendants and produce them for arraignment. The matter was adjourned until May 18, 2026.

Farouq served as minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2023.