Alleged fraud: Court orders arrest of former humanitarian affairs minister

Judge Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq.

The judge also ordered the arrest of Bashir Alkali, a former permanent secretary at the ministry.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed criminal charges against Farouq, who served in the governments of former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari, Alkali and Sani Rabiu.

They were due to be indicted sometime in 2025 but the charges have stalled due to the absence of defendants in court.

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On March 23, Judge Onwuegbuzie ordered superseded service against them and directed the EFCC to attach the charges to their known addresses.

At the hearing that resumed on Thursday, the prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court of the prosecutor’s exparte application seeking arrest warrants for Farouq and Alkali.

The application, according to Jacobs, was filed under Section 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

However, Jacobs changed the plea because Rabiu was present in court.

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In his decision, the judge noted, Exhibit SF1 which was attached to the statement supporting the application was a statement of service of indictment against the defendants as directed by the court at the last trial.

After being satisfied that the former minister and the second defendant refused to appear in court after service, Judge Onwuegbuzie then issued arrest warrants for both defendants.

He, thereafter, adjourned the matter to May 18 for arraignment.