An Abuja High Court yesterday ordered the arrest of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and the ministry’s former Permanent Secretary, Bashir Nura Alkali, after both failed to appear for arraignment in an alleged fraud case involving $1.3 million and N746.6 million. Trial judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued the bench warrant after the two defendants were absent when the matter was called.

The third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, was the only accused person present in court. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed 21 charges against the trio, accusing them of criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards and diversion of public funds.

The charge was premised on an alleged $1.3 million refund from Visual ICT Limited, said to be excess funds paid by the ministry under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) for the validation of Rapid Response Register beneficiaries.

Prosecutors allege the money, which was due back to the ministry, was instead converted for personal use between May 2021 and September 2022. Prosecuting Counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told the court that the charge had been pending since December 15, 2025, but repeated efforts to secure the appearance of the first and second defendants had failed.

He further told the court that Farouq had earlier obtained the release of her passport from the anti-graft agency on the grounds of travelling to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment, but had not returned the travel document nor provided the commission with any medical report linked to the trip. Counsel to the former minister, Abdul Ibrahim (SAN), attributed her absence to health challenges and asked the court for more time to produce her.

He urged the court to allow a six-week window, but the request did not stop the ruling on the EFCC’s application. Ruling on the matter, Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the prosecution’s request and ordered the immediate arrest of Farouq and Alkali to compel their appearance before the court. The court later adjourned till May 18 for arraignment and commencement of trial.