Court Refuses to Vacate Arrest Warrant Against Ex-Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq in $1.3m, N746.7m Fraud Case

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo Abuja, has refused an application by former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, seeking to set aside a bench warrant issued for her arrest in an ongoing fraud case.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie delivered the ruling on Monday, holding that the former minister failed to provide a valid explanation for her absence from court.

Umar-Farouq is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed over allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds amounting to $1.3 million and N746.7 million.

In his ruling, the judge held that the court was empowered by law to issue a warrant where a defendant knowingly fails to appear before it without sufficient justification.

“The defendant, who is fully aware that this is a criminal proceeding, has wilfully failed to appear in court without a valid reason,” the judge ruled.

“There is nothing in the exhibit explaining why the defendant, who has mere arthritis and heart disease, cannot appear before the court.”

Justice Onwuegbuzie further stated that he was not persuaded by the medical grounds advanced by the defence and dismissed the application as lacking merit.

Following the ruling, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) urged the court to enforce what he described as an undertaking previously made by defence counsel, A.A. Ibrahim (SAN) to produce the former minister before the court.

Jacobs argued that the medical report relied upon by the defence had already expired and could no longer justify her continued absence from proceedings.

Counsel representing Ibrahim, A.M. Lawal, however, requested that the senior advocate be allowed to personally address the court on the issue of the alleged undertaking.

The court granted the request and subsequently adjourned the matter until July 2, 2026, for arraignment.

The EFCC maintains that the defendants have questions to answer regarding the alleged diversion and misuse of public funds during their time in office.