Court Upholds Arrest Warrant Against Ex-minister Sadiya Umar Farouq Over Alleged

by HEDNEWS on May 19, 2026

Court upholds arrest warrant against ex-minister Sadiya Umar Farouq over alleged $1.3m fraud FCT High Court orders that the arrest warrant against the former humanitarian affairs minister remains in force as EFCC prosecution continues. A Federal Capital Territory FCT High Court in Apo, Abuja, has sustained the arrest warrant earlier issued against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, over allegations involving $1.3 million and N746.7 million fraud. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled that the warrant should remain in force after the former minister failed to appear before the court for arraignment in an ongoing case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC. Farouq is being prosecuted alongside Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed on charges bordering on alleged criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds. Prosecutors allege the funds were linked to transactions under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office programme.During the latest court proceedings, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment but noted that the former minister was absent again without formal explanation before the court. Jacobs urged the judge to maintain the bench warrant earlier issued on April 16, 2026.Counsel to the former minister, Oladipo Okpeseyi, told the court that his client was currently receiving medical treatment in Egypt and was medically unfit to attend proceedings. According to the defence, a medical report indicated she would require additional time to recover. Justice Onwuegbuzie, however, expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as repeated delays in the matter, warning that the court would not tolerate unnecessary adjournments. The judge subsequently ordered that the arrest warrant against Farouq remain active and adjourned the case until June 8, 2026, for arraignment and continuation of proceedings.