Fraud Case: Court Dismisses Former Minister Sadiya Farouq’s Bid to Set Aside Arrest Warrant

The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, on Monday, June 15, 2026, dismissed an application filed by counsel to former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, seeking to set aside a bench warrant and warrant of arrest issued against her.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a statement issued via its official X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the judge held that the former minister had wilfully failed to appear before the court without any valid justification.

Farouq is standing trial alongside Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed in a case brought by the EFCC for alleged criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds totalling $1.3 million and N746.7 million.

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Delivering the ruling, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie held that the 1st defendant had wilfully failed to appear before the court without any valid justification, stressing that the law empowers the court to issue a bench warrant where an accused person refuses to attend proceedings without lawful excuse.

The judge rejected claims of ill health advanced in the application, questioning the validity of the medical excuse presented.

“The defendant, who is fully aware that this is a criminal proceeding, has wilfully failed to appear in court without a valid reason, and the law empowers the court, when it has been ascertained that the defendant is absent from court without a valid reason, to issue a bench warrant of arrest,” he ruled.

He further stated that the medical explanation provided was insufficient, adding that there was nothing indicating why the defendant, said to be suffering from arthritis and heart-related issues, could not appear in court.

“Is it that there are no medical facilities in Nigeria? I am convinced that the 1st defendant is trying to hide behind her fingers by raising bogus excuses,” the judge added, while emphasising that criminal proceedings must be treated differently from civil matters.

Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the application lacked merit and was accordingly dismissed.

Counsel to the prosecution, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, commended the ruling while urging the court to enforce an earlier undertaking reportedly made by defence counsel, A.A. Ibrahim, SAN, to produce the defendant in court.

Jacobs argued that the undertaking should not be disregarded, noting that the timeline contained in the medical report had expired and calling for compliance at the next adjourned date.

He also appealed to defence counsel to ensure the defendant’s appearance to avoid the exercise of the court’s coercive powers.

In response, A.M. Lawal, appearing for A.A. Ibrahim, SAN, requested that the senior lawyer be allowed to personally address the court on the issue of the undertaking.

Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request, permitting Ibrahim, SAN, to respond at the next sitting.

The matter was adjourned to July 2, 2026, for arraignment.