Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, has dismissed an application seeking to set aside the bench warrant and warrant of arrest issued against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq.
Farouq is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed over allegations of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds amounting to approximately $1.3 million and ₦746.7 million.
In his ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the former minister failed to appear before the court without presenting a valid reason for her absence. The judge stated that the law empowers a court to issue a bench warrant where a defendant deliberately fails to attend proceedings without justification.
The court therefore declined the request by Farouq’s legal team to vacate the arrest warrant earlier issued against her.
Following the ruling, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, urged the court to enforce an undertaking he alleged had been made by Farouq’s lawyer, A.A. Ibrahim, to produce his client before the court.
Responding on behalf of Ibrahim, A.M. Lawal asked the court to allow the senior advocate personally address the issue surrounding the alleged undertaking.
Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request, noting that Ibrahim should be given an opportunity to appear before the court and respond to the allegations concerning the undertaking.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 2, 2026, for the arraignment of the defendants.
The case forms part of the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to investigate and prosecute alleged financial misconduct involving public officials. The anti-graft agency alleges that the funds in question were unlawfully diverted while Farouq served as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.
Farouq and her co-defendants are expected to formally take their pleas when the matter comes up for arraignment at the next hearing.
