An FCT High Court sitting in Apo has ordered the arrest of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, and a top ministry official, Bashir Nura Alkali, over their failure to appear in court for arraignment in an alleged multi-million fraud case.
The arrest warrant was issued on Thursday by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie following an ex-parte application by the prosecution after both defendants were absent in court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 21-count charge against the duo, accusing them of criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and diversion of public funds totaling $1.3 million and N746.6 million.
Prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told the court that the defendants had repeatedly failed to present themselves for arraignment despite assurances from their legal representatives. He also sought and obtained the court’s permission to amend the charge, removing a third defendant, Sani Mohammed, who was present in court.
According to the EFCC, the alleged fraud involves the diversion of funds linked to the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office. Specifically, the agency claimed that $1.3 million meant to be refunded by Visual ICT Limited—arising from excess payments under a beneficiary validation programme—was unlawfully converted.
Jacobs further informed the court that Farouq had travelled to Saudi Arabia in 2024 for medical treatment after her passport was released by the EFCC, but has neither returned the passport nor provided verifiable medical documentation prior to the filing of charges.
Counsel to the defendants, Abdul Ibrahim, argued that the former minister’s absence was due to ill health, noting that medical documents had been submitted—though prosecutors maintained these were issued after charges were filed.
Justice Onwuegbuzie subsequently adjourned the case to May 18 for arraignment.