Arrest Warrant Issued for Ex-Minister Sadiya Farouq

An arrest warrant was issued for former Minister Sadiya Farouq on April 16, 2026, after she failed to appear in court for her scheduled arraignment regarding allegations of economic and financial crimes involving approximately N1.3 million and N746.7 million. Farouq, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2023, is accused of criminal conspiracy and abuse of office related to public funds.

Her defense counsel, Oladipo Okpeseyi, informed the court that she is currently in Egypt receiving medical attention and requires two months for recovery. However, the presiding judge, Ibrahim Onwuegbuzi, rejected her excuse, describing it as a tactic to stall the trial.

The court has set the next hearing for June 8, 2026, and the EFCC has called for public assistance in locating Farouq, whose last known address is in Abuja.