Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, suffered a setback on Monday as a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, dismissed her application seeking to set aside a bench warrant and arrest warrant earlier issued against her in an alleged multi-billion naira fraud case.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled that Farouq failed to provide any convincing reason for repeatedly absenting herself from court, insisting that her conduct justified the issuance of the warrant.
Farouq is being prosecuted alongside Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds amounting to $1.3 million and N746.7 million.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the former minister had consistently failed to honour court processes without lawful excuse.
“The defendant has consistently failed to honour the processes of this court without lawful excuse,” the judge declared.
He also dismissed the medical grounds advanced by the defence to explain her absence, ruling that the documents tendered did not establish that Farouq was medically unfit to attend court proceedings.
According to him, “the medical report placed before the court does not satisfactorily establish that the defendant is incapacitated to the extent of being unable to attend proceedings.”
The judge described the explanation as unconvincing and viewed it as an attempt to delay the trial, stressing that the matter was criminal in nature and must proceed strictly in line with due process.
“There is no merit in the application before the court,” he ruled.
Reacting to the decision, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), commended the court, noting that the defence had earlier undertaken to ensure the former minister’s appearance.
Jacobs urged the court to enforce the undertaking, arguing that the medical report relied upon by the defence had expired and should not be allowed to frustrate proceedings.
However, A.M. Lawal, who appeared for A.A. Ibrahim (SAN), requested permission for the lead counsel to personally address the court on issues relating to the alleged undertaking.
He argued that only the lead counsel could properly respond to concerns raised by the prosecution regarding the commitment made to secure the defendant’s appearance.
Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request and adjourned the matter until July 2, 2026, for arraignment.
