The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained an arrest warrant against Sadiya Umar Farouq, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
Newsonspot reports that the warrant was issued by the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, following her failure to appear for arraignment.
Presiding judge, Jude Onwuegbuzie, also approved the arrest of Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry, over the same matter.
The EFCC had approached the court after both defendants failed to attend Thursday’s proceedings. They are being prosecuted alongside Sani Mohammed on a 21-count charge bordering on breach of trust and abuse of office.
According to the commission, the defendants allegedly misappropriated about $1.3 million and N746.6 million. The funds were reportedly part of monies meant to be refunded to the ministry after disbursements under a social intervention programme but were allegedly diverted for personal use.
During the hearing, only the third defendant, Mohammed, was present in court.
Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, informed the court that although the charges were filed on December 15, 2025, the first and second defendants could not be arraigned due to their absence. He added that their lawyers had previously undertaken to produce them but failed to do so, leading to substituted service.
Jacobs further revealed that while all defendants have now been served, only Mohammed reported to the commission after his surety was contacted.
He also told the court that Farouq had earlier requested permission to travel to Saudi Arabia in 2024 for medical treatment, after which her passport was released. However, she allegedly failed to return the passport or provide medical documentation upon her return.
The prosecution noted that a medical report submitted by the defence on the day of the hearing was issued after charges had already been filed and was not presented at the time her passport was released.
Defence counsel, Abdul Ibrahim, argued that the former minister’s absence was due to ill health and attempted to tender an affidavit, but the court declined to admit it.
Farouq served as minister from 2019 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
