A 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, over an alleged fraud involving S1.3 million and N746.6 million.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie gave the order on Thursday 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.

According to the charge, Farouq and Alkali allegedly diverted S1.3 million meant to be refunded to the ministry by Visual ICT Limited.

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.

He further disclosed that Farouq had earlier written to the EFCC requesting the release of her passport for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia in 2024, but had yet to return the passport or provide any medical report to justify her continued absence.

Jacobs also challenged an affidavit presented by defence counsel, Abdul Ibrahim (SAN), which attributed Farouq’s absence to ill health, noting that the medical reports attached were obtained after the charges had already been filed.

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 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.