FORMER Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq suffered a major legal setback on Monday after a Federal Capital Territory High Court judge in Abuja refused to set aside bench and arrest warrants issued against her in a high‑profile graft prosecution.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, sitting in Apo, dismissed an application by Farouq’s lawyers to quash the warrants linked to charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti‑graft agency is prosecuting Farouq alongside Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed on allegations of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds amounting to about $1.3 million and N746.7 million.
In a pointed ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie said Farouq “willfully failed to appear in court without a valid reason,” and affirmed the court’s power to issue bench warrants when an accused is absent without justification. He dismissed the medical evidence cited by the defence—claims of arthritis and heart disease—as inadequate, asking rhetorically, “Is it that there are no medical facilities in Nigeria?” The judge described the excuses as “bogus” and held that the application lacked merit.
EFCC lead counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, welcomed the ruling and urged the court to enforce an earlier undertaking by defence counsel A.A. Ibrahim, SAN, to produce the former minister. Jacobs told the court the medical reprieve sought was for six to eight weeks and had expired on June 9, 2026, and warned that the EFCC would give effect to the arrest if necessary.
A.M. Lawal, standing in for Ibrahim, asked that Ibrahim be present in court to address the undertaking; Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request. The case was adjourned for arraignment to July 2, 2026.
Why it matters
- The judgment removes a key procedural obstacle for the EFCC and raises the likelihood of imminent arraignment and trial steps.
- The court’s rejection of medical grounds to avoid attendance signals judicial impatience with tactics perceived as delaying prosecution.
- The EFCC’s readiness to effect arrest increases immediate legal pressure on Farouq and narrows her team’s options to stall proceedings.
Background
Farouq’s administration drew scrutiny over humanitarian fund allocations. The charges, if proven, carry significant criminal penalties and political fallout, underscoring both the legal and reputational stakes for the former minister.
What to watch
- Whether A.A. Ibrahim appears on July 2 to justify his undertaking.
- If the EFCC seeks active arrest or secures the defendant’s appearance by other means.
- How the defence responds once formal arraignment takes place.
