Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant of arrest against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, following their failure to appear in court to face charges of alleged financial misconduct involving public funds.
The order was issued on Thursday by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie after both defendants were absent during scheduled arraignment proceedings at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. Only the third defendant in the case, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, appeared in court alongside his surety.
The case is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a 21-count charge bordering on allegations of breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent award of contracts, and alleged conversion of public funds. The total amount involved is estimated at $1.3 million and N746,574,303, which the prosecution says are linked to excess payments within a government humanitarian programme.
According to the charge, the alleged offences occurred between May 2021 and September 2022, during the defendants’ tenure at the ministry. Prosecutors allege that funds meant for humanitarian-related verification exercises under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office were improperly handled and later diverted.
The prosecution further told the court that the funds in question were reportedly excess payments made to a private company involved in data validation for social intervention programmes. It was alleged that the money, which was meant to be returned to government accounts, was instead diverted for personal benefit.
During Thursday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court that the defendants had been aware of the charges since late 2025 but had not been present for arraignment despite efforts to secure their attendance. He stated that previous assurances from defence lawyers that the accused persons would be produced in court had not been fulfilled.
Jacobs further told the court that efforts to serve the defendants had eventually been completed following a court order, but only the third defendant responded by appearing before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after being contacted through a surety. He also raised concerns about the first defendant’s travel history, noting that she had previously travelled abroad for medical reasons and had not returned her passport as required.
The prosecution also challenged medical explanations submitted on behalf of the first defendant, arguing that supporting documents presented to the court were issued after the charges had already been filed. He contended that there was no verified medical justification provided at the time approval was granted for her travel.
Counsel for the first defendant, Abdul Ibrahim, SAN, informed the court that her absence was due to ill health and urged the court to accept an affidavit of facts submitted in her defence. However, the court declined the application and proceeded to issue a bench warrant for her arrest, along with that of the second defendant.
Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the absence of the defendants without sufficient legal justification warranted coercive measures to ensure their appearance in court. He ordered law enforcement authorities to arrest and produce them for arraignment at the next sitting.
The case adds to a growing number of high-profile corruption trials involving former public officials in Nigeria, particularly in relation to funds allocated for social welfare and humanitarian interventions. These programmes, designed to support vulnerable populations, have in recent years come under increased scrutiny over allegations of mismanagement and diversion of funds.
The court adjourned further proceedings to a later date, pending the appearance of the defendants. The outcome of the arrest order is expected to determine the next phase of the trial, including formal arraignment and potential bail considerations.
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