Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Ex-Minister Sadiya Farouq

On April 16, 2026, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja issued arrest warrants against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and Permanent Secretary Bashir Nura Alkali. They were scheduled to be arraigned on charges of fraud totaling $1.3 million and N746.6 million but failed to appear in court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed twenty counts against the defendants, including breach of trust and abuse of office related to the fraudulent conversion of public funds meant for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. The court was informed that Farouq had traveled for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia and had not returned her passport to the EFCC.

The court rejected an application to excuse their absence due to health issues and subsequently ordered their arrest to compel their appearance. The case is adjourned until May 18, 2026.