A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and Permanent Secretary Bashir Nura Alkali over alleged fraud involving $1.3 million and N746.6 million.
The presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, issued the warrant on Thursday, April 16, 2026, following the defendants’ failure to appear in court for their arraignment. However, the third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, was present.
The defendants are facing a 21-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and diversion of public funds.
According to the EFCC, Farouq and Alkali allegedly misappropriated $1.3 million between May 2021 and September 2022 through the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO). The funds were reportedly tied to payments made to a contractor, Visual ICT Limited, for beneficiary validation under the Rapid Response Register.
Prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told the court that the defendants failed to appear despite assurances from their legal representatives, noting that earlier attempts to serve them had been unsuccessful.
In response, counsel to Farouq, Abdul Ibrahim (SAN), cited ill health as the reason for her absence. However, the court dismissed the explanation and proceeded to issue arrest warrants against the defendants.
Sadiya
