COURT DISMISSES SADIYA FAROUQ’S BID TO LIFT ARREST WARRANT IN $1.3M FRAUD CASE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, has dismissed an application by former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq, seeking to set aside a bench warrant and arrest warrant earlier issued against her.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, in a ruling on Monday, held that the former minister failed to provide a valid reason for her absence from court and affirmed the court’s authority to issue a bench warrant where a defendant deliberately refuses to appear in criminal proceedings.
Farouq is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed over allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and alleged diversion of public funds totalling $1.3 million and N746.7 million.
In a statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the court was said to have rejected Farouq’s explanation for her absence, describing it as unconvincing.
“The defendant who is fully aware that this is a criminal proceeding has willfully failed to appear in court without a valid reason,” the judge was quoted as saying.
Justice Onwuegbuzie further questioned the medical reasons presented by the defence, noting that claims of arthritis and heart disease were insufficient to justify absence from trial.
He stressed that criminal proceedings must follow due legal process, adding that there was no merit in the application before the court.
“It is important that the applicant be reminded that this is a criminal matter and not a civil one… there is no merit in this application,” he ruled.
Following the decision, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the court to enforce an alleged undertaking by Farouq’s lead counsel, A.A. Ibrahim (SAN), to produce the defendant in court.
He also argued that the medical report presented had expired and should not be relied upon, insisting that the defence must ensure Farouq’s appearance at the next hearing.
In response, defence counsel A.M. Lawal requested that the senior advocate be allowed to personally address the issue of the undertaking, a request the court granted.
Justice Onwuegbuzie subsequently adjourned the case until July 2, 2026, for arraignment.
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