The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, has refused an application to set aside the bench warrant issued against Sadiya Umar Farouq, a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, and adjourned the matter to 2 July 2026 for arraignment.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie delivered the ruling on 15 June 2026 on the charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against Ms. Farouq, alongside Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed. The three are accused of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds, allegedly totalling approximately 1.3 million dollars and 746.7 million naira. The allegations have not been tested in court.
The bench warrant had been issued after Ms. Farouq failed to appear for a scheduled arraignment, reported to have been fixed for 16 April 2026. Defence counsel applied to vacate the warrant on the ground that Ms. Farouq was in Egypt receiving medical treatment and was medically unfit to attend. The EFCC opposed the application, submitting that the defendant must first submit to the court's jurisdiction before seeking any relief and urging the court to discountenance the medical reports.
Justice Onwuegbuzie held that Ms. Farouq had failed to appear without a valid reason and that the court was entitled in those circumstances to issue a warrant. "I am of the opinion that there is no merit in this application," the judge ruled, dismissing the application.
The matter was adjourned to 2 July 2026 for arraignment. No plea has been entered, and the case remains at a preliminary stage.
