Farouq arrest warrant remains in force after Abuja court dismissed the former minister’s application and fixed July 2 for arraignment

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, has dismissed an application filed by former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, seeking to set aside a bench warrant and warrant of arrest previously issued against her in an alleged public funds diversion case.

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Farouq is scheduled to face prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed over allegations of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and the diversion of public funds amounting to $1.3 million and N746.7 million.

Delivering his ruling on Monday, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that Farouq had failed to appear before the court without sufficient justification and that the law empowered the court to issue a bench warrant under such circumstances.

According to the judge, the medical documents presented by the defence did not establish why the former minister was unable to attend proceedings in Nigeria.

“The defendant who is fully aware that this is a criminal proceeding has willfully 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,” the judge ruled.

Justice Onwuegbuzie further stated that the medical evidence presented, which referenced arthritis and heart-related ailments, did not sufficiently explain the defendant’s absence from court.

The judge described the explanations advanced by the defence as inadequate and dismissed the application for lacking merit.

The ruling means the Farouq Arrest Warrant remains in force pending further proceedings in the matter.

Reacting to the decision, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), commended the court for what he described as a well-considered ruling.

He also urged the court to enforce an undertaking allegedly made by defence counsel, A.A. Ibrahim (SAN), to produce the former minister before the court.

Jacobs argued that the medical report attached to the application sought a six to eight-week period, which he noted had already elapsed on June 9, 2026.

He further informed the court that the EFCC intended to proceed with efforts to enforce the arrest warrant and requested cooperation from the defence to avoid the use of coercive measures.

Responding on behalf of A.A. Ibrahim (SAN), defence lawyer A.M. Lawal asked the court to allow Ibrahim to personally address issues relating to the undertaking referenced by the prosecution.

Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request, stating that Ibrahim should be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations concerning the undertaking.