Court Orders Arrest of Ex-Minister Farouq and Perm Sec Over Alleged N746.6 Million Fraud
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant of arrest against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali. This legal action stems from an alleged fraud case involving S1.3 million and N746.6 million, which has drawn significant public attention.
Failure to Appear in Court Leads to Arrest Order
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie gave the order yesterday after the two defendants failed to appear in court for their scheduled arraignment. Only the third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, was present at the hearing. The trio are set to be arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 21-count charge that includes criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent award of contracts, and conversion of public funds.
The funds in question were reportedly excess payments under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) for the validation of Rapid Response Register beneficiaries. This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat corruption in Nigeria's public sector.
Prosecution's Request and Defence's Plea
Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court that although the charges were filed on December 15, 2025, the anti-graft agency had encountered difficulties in producing the first and second defendants for arraignment. The prosecution subsequently urged the court to issue a bench warrant against the two defendants, citing their failure to honour bail conditions and appear for trial despite being duly served.
In response, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to grant a six-week adjournment to enable him to produce the first defendant in court. However, the court declined this request, emphasizing the need for timely justice.
Court's Ruling and Adjournment
Ruling on the matter, Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the EFCC's application and ordered the arrest of the two defendants to compel their appearance. The case has been adjourned to May 18, 2026, for arraignment and commencement of trial. This development underscores the judiciary's commitment to holding public officials accountable for alleged financial misconduct.
The arrest warrant marks a significant step in this high-profile case, which involves substantial sums of money and serious charges. It reflects broader anti-corruption initiatives in Nigeria, aiming to ensure transparency and integrity in government operations.
