Court rejects Sadiya Farouq’s bid to cancel her arrest warrant

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, dismissed an application filed by former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Sadiya Farouq on Monday. The application sought to set aside a bench warrant and an arrest warrant that had been issued against her.

The judge held that Farouq had not provided a valid reason for her failure to appear in court. He noted that the law permits a bench warrant to be issued when a defendant deliberately fails to attend a criminal proceeding, according to a statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesman, Dele Oyewale.

Farouq is being prosecuted by the EFCC together with Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed. The charges involve criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds amounting to $1.3 million and N746.7 million.

In his ruling, the judge criticized the former minister’s explanation for her absence, describing the excuses as unconvincing. He said:

“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,” he said.

The judge also emphasized the difference between criminal and civil proceedings, stating that criminal matters must follow established legal procedures. He added:

“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.”

Following the decision, prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) praised the court and urged it to enforce an undertaking allegedly made by Farouq’s lead counsel, A.A. Ibrahim (SAN), to produce the defendant before the court. Jacobs said:

“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 within 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 added.

Responding, A.M. Lawal, who appeared for Ibrahim, urged the court to allow the senior advocate to personally address the issue of the undertaking. Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request, stating that Ibrahim should be given the opportunity to defend himself on the matter.

The case was adjourned until July 2, 2026 for arraignment.

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