A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo has ordered the arrest of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, alongside a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, after they failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment
The order was issued on Thursday by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which is prosecuting the defendants on a 21-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds.
The commission alleged that about $1.3 million and over N746 million (approximately N2.49 billion) were misappropriated during their time in office.
During the proceedings, the third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, was present in court, while Farouq and Alkali were absent despite being duly served with court documents.
EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, told the court that the defendants were fully aware of the arraignment date but deliberately failed to appear.
He further informed the court that the former minister had previously been granted permission to travel abroad for medical treatment but had neither returned her international passport nor submitted any medical report to the commission.
Counsel to the former minister, Abdul Ibrahim, argued that her absence was due to ill health and attempted to tender an affidavit to that effect, but the court rejected the document.
The defence also requested a six-week adjournment to allow the defendants to appear before the court, but the prosecution opposed the application, insisting on enforcement of the arrest order.
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