Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, has dismissed an application seeking to set aside the bench warrant and arrest warrant issued against a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the High Court gave the ruling on Monday, holding that the defendant had failed to appear in court without valid justification.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, is prosecuting Farouq alongside two others, Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed, over allegations of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds totalling $1.3 million and N746.7 million.
Delivering ruling on the application, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the court was empowered to issue a bench warrant where a defendant wilfully fails to attend proceedings.
“The defendant who is fully aware that this is a criminal proceeding has wilfully failed to appear in court without valid reason… I am convinced that the 1st defendant is trying to hide behind her fingers by raising bogus excuses,” the judge said.
He added that the medical reasons cited, including arthritis and heart-related illness, were not sufficient to justify absence from court, noting that there was no evidence showing inability to attend proceedings.
Reacting, prosecution counsel, Chief Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), commended the ruling, urging the court to enforce an earlier undertaking by the defence counsel to produce the defendant.
Jacobs said the defence’s medical report indicated a limited period within which the defendant could be excused, noting that the period had already elapsed.
“My lord, the court should not take the undertaking for granted,” he said.
Defence counsel, Mr A.M. Lawal, who appeared for A.A. Ibrahim (SAN), urged the court to allow lead counsel to be present to respond to issues surrounding the alleged undertaking.
Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request and adjourned the matter to July 2, 2026 for arraignment.
The court also affirmed that the bench warrant remains in force pending the appearance of the defendants.
The case involves allegations of financial misconduct linked to the handling of public funds during the former minister’s tenure.
