KEY POINTS

• A court in Abuja issued an arrest warrant for former minister Sadiya Umar Farouq and a senior civil servant for failing to appear in a fraud trial.
• The EFCC alleges the defendants misappropriated over $1.3 million and N746.6 million meant for social intervention programmes.
• The court rejected the former minister’s medical excuse, citing lack of credible documentation and her failure to return her passport.

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo has issued a warrant of arrest against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, after she failed to appear for her arraignment.

Presiding judge, Jude Onwuegbuzie, granted the order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). A similar warrant was also issued against Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry, who also failed to attend court proceedings.

The EFCC has filed a 21-count charge against Umar Farouq, Alkali, and Sani Mohammed, accusing them of criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.

According to the anti-graft agency, the defendants allegedly misappropriated approximately $1.3 million and N746.6 million. The funds were reportedly meant to be returned to the ministry after disbursements under a government social intervention programme but were instead diverted for personal use.

Only Mohammed was present in court during Thursday’s proceedings.

Passport Controversy and Medical Excuse Rejected

Prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs informed the court that the charges were filed on December 15, 2025, but the first and second defendants repeatedly failed to appear despite assurances from their lawyers.

He further revealed that Umar Farouq had earlier requested permission from the EFCC in 2024 to travel to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment. Although her passport was released, she has neither returned it nor submitted any medical report to justify her continued absence.

Her counsel, Abdul Ibrahim, attempted to present an affidavit citing ill health as the reason for her absence. However, the court declined to admit the application, noting inconsistencies in the medical documentation provided.