The legal battle surrounding the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs has reached a critical turning point. A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja officially issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Sadiya Umar-Farouq on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
The Core Allegations
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 21-count charge against the former minister, bordering on:
- Criminal Breach of Trust and Abuse of Office.
- Fraudulent Award of Contracts.
- Misappropriation of Funds: Specifically, the diversion of $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million.
- The Specific Hook: The EFCC alleges that these funds were excess payments from a contractor (Visual ICT Limited) meant to be refunded to the ministry’s social safety net program but were instead converted for personal use.
Why the Arrest Warrant?
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued the warrant after Umar-Farouq and the ministry’s former Permanent Secretary, Bashir Nura Alkali, failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment.
- The Medical Excuse: Defense counsel argued that the former minister was absent due to ill health and requested a six-week adjournment.
- The Prosecution’s Rebuttal: EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) pointed out that the charges had been served since December 2025. He also revealed that the minister had obtained her passport in 2024 for “medical treatment” in Saudi Arabia but never returned it nor provided a medical report from that trip.
- The Result: The judge rejected the defense’s plea, noting that medical reports presented in court were issued after the charges were filed, and ordered the immediate arrest of both Farouq and Alkali.
What Happens Next?
The case has been adjourned to May 18, 2026, for arraignment. Only the third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, was present in court. This move signals a wider crackdown on the management of social intervention programs during the previous administration, which President Tinubu suspended in 2023 amid these ongoing investigations.
