A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, has refused an application by former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, seeking to overturn a bench warrant and warrant of arrest earlier issued against her.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie held that the former minister failed to provide sufficient justification for her repeated absence from court and ruled that the warrants should remain in force.
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 the diversion of public funds amounting to approximately $1.3 million and N746.7 million.
Explaining the basis for his decision, the judge stated that the court is empowered to issue a bench warrant when a defendant in a criminal matter knowingly fails to appear before the court without a valid excuse.
Justice Onwuegbuzie noted that medical documents presented by the defence, which referenced arthritis and heart-related ailments, did not establish that the former minister was incapable of attending court proceedings.
The court further observed that the medical explanations offered by the defence were insufficient to justify her absence and concluded that the application lacked merit.
Following the ruling, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), commended the court for what he described as a well-reasoned decision and urged the judge to enforce an earlier undertaking allegedly made by defence counsel, A.A. Ibrahim (SAN), to produce the former minister before the court.
Jacobs argued that the period referenced in the medical report submitted by the defence had already elapsed and maintained that there was no longer any basis for delaying the defendant’s appearance.
He also informed the court that the anti-graft agency intended to proceed with efforts to execute the arrest warrant and appealed for cooperation from the defence to avoid the use of coercive measures.
Responding on behalf of the defence, A.M. Lawal, who appeared in place of A.A. Ibrahim (SAN), requested an opportunity for Ibrahim to personally address the court regarding the issue of the undertaking cited by the prosecution.
Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request, stating that Ibrahim should be allowed to appear before the court to respond to the allegations concerning the undertaking.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until July 2, 2026, for the arraignment of the defendants.
