Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, on Monday, June 15, 2026, dismissed an application filed by the counsel to a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, seeking the setting aside of the Bench Warrant and Warrant of Arrest issued against the former minister.
Farouq, alongside two others, Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed, are to face prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds to the tune of $1.3 million and N746.7 million
While delivering his ruling on Monday, the judge held that the defendant has willfully failed to appear in court without a valid reason, maintaining that the law empowerhadhe court when it has been ascertained that the defendant is absent from court without a valid reason to, issue a bench warrant of arrest.
“The defendant who is fully aware that this is a criminal proceeding has willfully failed to appear in court without a valid reason and the law empowers the court w, when it has been ascertained that the defendant is absent from court without a valid reason, to issue a bench warrant of arrest. There is nothing in the exhibit explaining why the defendant,t who has mere arthritis and heart disease cannot appear before the court. Is it that there are no medical facilities in Nigeria? I am convinced that the 1st defendant is trying to hide behind her fingers by raising bogus excuses. The applicant must be reminded that this is a criminal matter and not a civil one, and there is an approach to its proceedings. By all legal considerations, I think that there is no merit in this application, I so hold,” he said.
Reacting, counsel to the prosecution, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN appreciated the judge for a well-considered ruling. He further reminded the court of the undertaking, asking by defence counsel A.A Ibrahim, SAN, to produce the 1st defendant, urging the court that it should not be taken for granted, but be enforced.
“My lordship, for a senior counsel to make an undertaking which is reflected in your lordship`s ruling, we crave your lordship to give effect to that undertaking by A.A Ibrahim SAN to produce the defendant. If you look at the so- called medical report attached, it is only asking for the period of six to eight weeks, during which the defendant will be arrested, nd that the eight weeks had expired to June 9 2026. During the plea with your lordship, the court should not take the undertaking for granted. On our part, we have decided to give effect to the arrest of the first defendant, we also ask the counsel to the first defendant to cooperate and produce his client on the next. Weurnment to avoid a coercive power” he said
Responding, A.M Lawal, who stood in for A.A Ibrahim, SA, N urged the judge to allow Ib,rahim to be present in court to respond to the EFCC’ s application on the issue of the undertaking.
Justice Onwuegbuzie granted his request stating that Ibrahim should be allowed to be in court to defend himself on the issue of undertaking.
The matter was adjourned to July 2, 2026, for arraignment.
