Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant of arrest against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali.

The arrest warrant is over an alleged fraud involving S1.3 million and N746.6 million.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie gave the order yesterday after the two defendants failed to appear in court for their scheduled arraignment. Only the third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, was present.

The trio are to be arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 21-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent award of contracts, and conversion of public funds.

The funds were said to be excess payments under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) for the validation of Rapid Response Register beneficiaries.

Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court that although the charges were filed on December 15, 2025, the anti-graft agency had difficulties producing the first and second defendants for arraignment.

The prosecution subsequently urged the court to issue a bench warrant against the two defendants, citing their failure to honour bail conditions and appear for trial despite being duly served.

In response, defence counsel pleaded with the court to grant a six-week adjournment to enable him to produce the first defendant in court, a request the court declined.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the EFCC’s application and ordered the arrest of the two defendants to compel their appearance.

The case was adjourned to May 18, 2026, for arraignment and commencement of trial.