Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, April 16, 2026, 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 their failure to appear in court for arraignment.
The duo, alongside a third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, are facing prosecution 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 alleged conversion of public funds.
At Thursday’s proceedings, only Mohammed was present in court, while Farouq and Alkali were absent despite being scheduled for arraignment. Their absence prompted the court to grant the prosecution’s request for a warrant of arrest to compel their appearance at subsequent proceedings.
According to the EFCC, the charges involve the alleged misappropriation of funds totaling approximately $1.3 million and N746,574,303. The anti-graft agency accused the defendants of diverting public funds for personal use during their time in office.
One of the charges specifically alleges that Farouq, while serving as minister, and Alkali, as permanent secretary, between May 8, 2021, and September 22, 2022, were entrusted with the management of funds amounting to $1.3 million. The funds were said to have been designated for refund to the ministry by a private firm, Visual ICT Limited, as excess payments made under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) programme.
The prosecution alleged that instead of ensuring the funds were returned to the government, the defendants fraudulently converted the money to their personal benefit, an act said to constitute criminal breach of trust under Section 315 of the Penal Code.
During the court session, prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs informed the court that the charges had been filed as far back as December 15, 2025, but efforts to arraign the first and second defendants had been unsuccessful due to difficulties in serving them.
“We could not arraign them on December 15 because we could not produce them,” Jacobs told the court. “Their lawyers had earlier assured the court that they would present the defendants, but that did not happen until the court ordered substituted service.”
He added that the defendants had now been duly served following the court’s directive, but still failed to appear for arraignment. He further noted that only the third defendant, Mohammed, responded after his surety was contacted, and both the defendant and his surety were present in court.
The development marks a significant step in the legal proceedings, as the issuance of arrest warrants indicates the court’s determination to ensure that all defendants are brought before it to answer to the charges.
Legal analysts note that the case could draw considerable public attention given the high-profile status of the accused, particularly Farouq, who served in a key ministry responsible for humanitarian interventions and social welfare programmes during her tenure.
The allegations are also significant due to their connection to the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office, a government initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable populations across Nigeria. Any misuse of funds under such programmes raises concerns about accountability and the effective delivery of social services.
The EFCC has intensified efforts in recent years to prosecute cases involving alleged corruption and financial misconduct in public office, as part of broader anti-corruption initiatives. The agency maintains that holding public officials accountable is essential to strengthening public trust and ensuring prudent management of public resources.
With the arrest warrants now issued, attention will turn to whether the defendants will comply with the court’s directive or be compelled to appear through enforcement actions by relevant authorities.
The case has been adjourned to a later date for further proceedings, with the court expected to take additional steps to ensure the presence of all defendants. As the trial unfolds, it is likely to provide further insight into the allegations and the defence that may be presented by those involved.
The outcome of the case could have broader implications for accountability within Nigeria’s public sector, particularly in agencies responsible for managing funds intended for humanitarian and social development programmes.
