JUST IN: Court Orders Arrest of Buhari’s Ex-Minister, Former Permanent Secretary

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant of arrest against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, over her failure to appear for arraignment.

The court, presided over by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, also ordered the arrest of a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, who similarly failed to appear.

The two are being prosecuted alongside a third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, who was present in court.

The trio face a 21-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and diversion of public funds amounting to approximately $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million.

According to the EFCC, the alleged offences occurred between May 2021 and September 2022 during their time in office. One of the charges accuses Farouq and Alkali of converting $1.3 million meant to be refunded to the ministry by a contractor, Visual ICT Limited, under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) programme.

Prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs told the court that although the charges were filed in December 2025, the defendants could not initially be served. He added that despite assurances from their legal representatives, the first and second defendants failed to appear.

Jacobs also informed the court that Farouq had earlier travelled to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment after obtaining permission and having her passport released, but has not returned it or provided any medical report since.

Defence counsel Abdul Ibrahim attributed Farouq’s absence to ill health and sought to tender an affidavit to that effect. The court, however, rejected the application and declined a request to allow six weeks to produce her.

Following arguments from both sides, Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the EFCC’s request and issued a bench warrant against Farouq and Alkali.

The case has been adjourned to May 18, 2026, for arraignment and commencement of trial.