Alleged Fraud: Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against Ex-Minister Sadiya Farouq

17th April, 2026 | News

A Federal Capital Territory High Court has issued a warrant of arrest for former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and a former Permanent Secretary, Bashir Nura Alkali, over their failure to appear in court for arraignment on alleged fraud charges.

The order was granted by Jude Onwuegbuzie following an ex-parte application by the prosecution. The defendants are accused of involvement in the alleged diversion and mismanagement of $1.3 million and N746.6 million in public funds.

The case, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), contains 21 counts bordering on criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and diversion of government resources. Prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told the court that both defendants failed to honour previous assurances by their legal representatives to present them for arraignment.

According to the EFCC, the funds in question include $1.3 million allegedly converted from monies meant to be refunded to the ministry by Visual ICT Limited. The payment was said to be linked to excess funds under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office programme, which handles the validation of Rapid Response Register beneficiaries.

Farouq, who served between 2019 and 2023 and oversaw key initiatives such as the National Social Investment Programme, was also said to have travelled to Saudi Arabia in 2024 for medical treatment after her passport was released. However, the prosecution noted that she has not returned the passport or provided satisfactory medical documentation.

The court granted the arrest warrant after the defendants’ continued absence stalled proceedings.