By Seun Ibiyemi
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, on Monday, May 18, 2026, sustained the arrest warrant issued against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, over her absence in court for arraignment in an alleged fraud case involving $1.3 million and ₦746.7 million.
The former minister, alongside Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds.
At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment, noting that the first defendant was absent without any explanation.
He reminded the court that a bench warrant had earlier been issued on April 16, 2026, which led the second defendant to voluntarily submit himself to the Commission.
Jacobs urged the court to sustain the arrest warrant against the former minister, insisting that prior undertakings to produce her had not been fulfilled.
Counsel to the first defendant, Oladipo Okpesheyi, SAN, however informed the court that his client was unavailable due to health challenges, claiming she was receiving medical treatment in Egypt and would require about two months to recover before appearing in court. He therefore sought an adjournment.
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the trial had already suffered delays and should not be further stalled.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Onwuegbuzie expressed dissatisfaction with repeated adjournment requests and what he described as attempts to frustrate the proceedings.
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The judge warned that the court would not tolerate further delays and insisted that the defence comply with earlier undertakings.
“At the last adjournment, M.S. Ibrahim promised the court to produce the first defendant… I will not tolerate unnecessary adjournment in my court,” the judge said.
He further cautioned that the court would take appropriate action if the defendant failed to appear at the next sitting.
The judge consequently sustained the arrest warrant against the former minister and adjourned the case to June 8, 2026, for arraignment.
