A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued a warrant of arrest against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, over their failure to appear for arraignment in an alleged fraud case.
Presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, issued the arrest order while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by the prosecution, led by Rotimi Jacobs.
The defendants are facing a 21-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent award of contracts, and diversion of public funds.
According to the EFCC, the duo allegedly mismanaged and diverted $1.3 million and N746.6 million linked to the ministry. The commission further alleged that the funds, meant to be refunded by Visual ICT Limited under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office programme, were unlawfully converted.
Before moving the motion, Jacobs successfully applied to amend the charge to exclude a third defendant, Sani Mohammed, who was present in court.
“The first and second defendants have consistently failed to appear for their arraignment despite assurances from their counsel,” Jacobs told the court, urging it to compel their attendance.
He further informed the court that Farouq had travelled to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment after her passport was released by the commission two years ago, but had neither returned the passport nor provided verifiable medical reports.
“The medical documents submitted were obtained after the charges had already been filed,” he added.
Counsel to the defendants, Abdul Ibrahim, however, argued that the former minister’s absence was due to ill health.
Following arguments from both sides, Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the EFCC’s application and issued a warrant for the arrest of the two defendants to ensure their appearance in court.
The case has been adjourned to next month for arraignment.
