Court orders arrest of ex-minister Sadiya, perm sec over alleged $1.3m, N746m fraud

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of  Sadiya Farouq , a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development,and Bashir Alkali, the ministry’s former Permanent Secretary, over alleged diversion of public funds.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued the order on Thursday following the failure of the defendants to appear in court for their scheduled arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The defendants, alongside a third accused person, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, are facing a 20-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent award of contracts, and conversion of public funds amounting to $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million.

According to the EFCC, the alleged offences occurred between May 2021 and September 2022 while the defendants were serving in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

At Thursday’s proceedings, only the third defendant was present in court.

EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court that repeated attempts to produce the first and second defendants had been unsuccessful despite claims that they had been served through their legal representatives. 

He further alleged that the first defendant had travelled abroad for medical reasons but had failed to return her travel documents or present supporting medical reports from the period of approval.

The prosecution also informed the court that the defendants had allegedly failed to comply with bail conditions requiring their appearance before the commission.

Counsel to the first defendant, Abdul Ibrahim (SAN), attributed her absence to ill health and urged the court to accept an affidavit to that effect, an application the court declined.

The EFCC also sought leave to amend an earlier ex-parte motion and requested the issuance of arrest warrants against the first and second defendants, citing their failure to appear in court despite being served.

After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the EFCC’s application and issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the first and second defendants.

The matter was adjourned to May 18, 2026, for arraignment and commencement of trial.