Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq
In a significant development in Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered the immediate arrest of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq. The court directive also extends to Permanent Secretary Bashir Nura Alkali, both of whom failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment on serious financial misconduct charges.
Judicial Order Follows Repeated Absences
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's application for a bench warrant against the two defendants during proceedings on Thursday, April 16. The EFCC had filed a 21-count charge against the officials on December 15, 2025, alleging various financial crimes including criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.
Prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court that despite being granted administrative bail and having charges formally served, both Farouq and Alkali had deliberately avoided court appearances. Only the third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, was present in court, highlighting the selective compliance with judicial processes.
Medical Excuse Disputed by Prosecution
The EFCC raised serious concerns about the former minister's claim of ill health as justification for her absence. Jacobs revealed that Farouq had previously obtained permission to travel abroad for medical treatment but had failed to return her passport to the commission or provide verifiable medical documentation from Saudi Arabia.
"All the medical reports that my friend attached to the affidavit were issued after the charge had been filed. No medical report was issued or shown to us for the approved journey and passport release," Jacobs stated during proceedings, challenging the credibility of the health claims presented by the defense.
Defense Arguments Rejected by Court
Defense counsel Abdul Ibrahim, SAN, attempted to justify his client's absence by citing health challenges and submitted an affidavit to support this position. However, Justice Onwuegbuzie declined to admit the document, indicating skepticism about the timing and validity of the medical claims presented.
The court noted that the defendants had failed to honor the conditions of their administrative bail, which required them to report back to authorities and appear for scheduled court dates. This breach of bail conditions formed a key part of the prosecution's argument for the arrest warrant.
Substantial Financial Allegations Detailed
The charges against the former officials involve serious allegations of financial misconduct. According to court documents, the defendants are accused of diverting public funds amounting to $1.3 million and over N746 million intended for the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO).
One specific count alleges that instead of returning unutilized funds to the ministry as required, the defendants fraudulently converted the money for personal use. These allegations relate to Farouq's tenure as the pioneer minister of the ministry, having been appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
Case Adjourned for Future Proceedings
Following the issuance of the arrest warrant, Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case to Monday, May 18, for the arraignment of the defendants. The bench warrant authorizes law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and produce Farouq and Alkali before the court to face the charges against them.
The EFCC emphasized the importance of compelling the defendants' appearance, stating that their continued absence undermined the judicial process and delayed justice in a matter of significant public interest. The commission expressed confidence that the arrest warrant would facilitate their appearance and allow the case to proceed substantively.
This development represents another high-profile anti-corruption case involving officials from the previous administration and highlights ongoing efforts to address financial misconduct in Nigeria's public sector. The court's firm stance on ensuring defendants' appearance sets an important precedent for accountability in corruption cases.
