A Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Monday, rejected an application filed by the counsel to a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq seeking to set aside the bench and arrest warrants issued against the former minister
Ms Farouq, alongside Bashir Nura Alikali and Sani Nafiu Muhammed, is expected to face prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds to the tune of $1.3 million and N746.7 million
Delivering his ruling on Monday, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie held that the defendant had willfully failed to appear in court without a valid reason, noting that the law empowered the court when it had been ascertained that the defendant was absent from court without a valid reason to issue a bench warrant of arrest.
Mr Onwuegbuzie ruled, “The defendant who is fully aware that this is a criminal proceeding has willfully failed to appear in court without a valid reason and the law empowers the court when it has been ascertained that the defendant is absent from court without a valid reason to issue a bench warrant of arrest. There is nothing in the exhibit explaining why the defendant who has mere arthritis and heart disease cannot appear before the court.
“Is it that there are no medical facilities in Nigeria? I am convinced that the 1st defendant is trying to hide behind her fingers, by raising bogus excuses. It is important that the applicant be reminded that this is a criminal matter and not a civil one and there is an approach to its proceedings. By all legal considerations, I am of the opinion that there is no merit in this application, I so hold.”
Reacting, counsel to the prosecution, Rotimi Jacobs, hailed the judge for a well-considered ruling, reminding the court of the undertaking by defence counsel A.A Ibrahim, SAN to produce the 1st defendant.
Mr Jacobs also urged the court that the undertaking should not be taken for granted but be enforced.
“My lordship, for a senior counsel to make an undertaking which is reflected in your lordship`s ruling, we crave your lordship to give effect to that undertaking by A.A Ibrahim SAN to produce the defendant. If you look at the so- called medical report attached, it is only asking for the period of six and eight weeks with which the defendant will be arrested and that the eight weeks had expired on June 9, 2026.
“I plead with your lordship that the court should not take the undertaking for granted. On our part, we have decided to give effect to the arrest of the first defendant, we also ask the counsel to the first defendant to cooperate and produce his client on the next adjournment to avoid a coercive power” he said
The matter was adjourned to July 2, 2026 for arraignment.
Ms Farouq’s application dismissal came a week after the erstwhile minister prayed to the court to set aside a bench warrant issued against her.
The court had granted EFCC leave to arrest and arraign Ms Farouq on April 16, alongside Messrs Alkali and Mohammed.
However, the former minister failed to appear as ordered by the court, but both the second and third accused persons were present.
