By EDITH NWAPI

A former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, again failed to appear for her arraignment in an Abuja High Court om Monday.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was to arraign Farouq and two others on April 16, but she and a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Alkali, failed to appear in the court.

Due to their absence, the court ordered for their arrest, meanwhile the 3rd defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed was present om the April 16 sitting.

On the resumed sitting on Monday, Alkali and Nadia were present.

The Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, told the court that the second defendant, Alkali after the notice of arrest warrant appeared at the EFCC Headquarters.

Jacobs urged the court to discharge the warrant of arrest issued on Alkali because he had surrendered.

“In the case of Farouq, the EFCC is still working with our international partners and will therefore need more time,” Jacob’s said.

Jacobs further informed the court that the 1st defendant filed a motion on April 27, asking the court to discharge the bench warrant issued on her.

He added the 1st defendant also filed a further affidavit on Friday and served the EFCC, in which the prosecution sent an advance copy of reply.

Jacobs reminded the court that the counsel who represented Farouq on the last sitting, gave an undertaking that he will produce her.

He urged the court to enforce the undertaking and should not listen to the counsel until he fulfills the promise.

Responding, Oladipo Opeseyi, SAN counsel for Farouq, told the court that the undertaking has been overtaken by two very serious events.

“My client in the application, wants the arrest warrant to be set aside.

“Secondly, the complainant has published to the whole world the notice that the 1st defendant should be arrested anywhere,” he said.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, then asked him (defendant counsel) to tell the court the whereabouts of Farouq.

At this point, Opeseyi told the court that his client was medically challenged.

“The EFCC granted her leave to go for medical treatment when they took her as a suspect.

“She is still in the hospital in Egypt and cannot leave against the Doctor's advice.

“She is not medically fit to come, we humbly ask for an adjournment so that we can also take the motion. Opeseyi said.

The prosecution did not object.

Justice Onwuegbuzie then discharged the order of arrest against the 2nd defendant.

He then warned that if Farouq fails to appear on the next adjourned date, the court will be forced to wade the stick.

Justice Onwuegbuzie then, adjourned until June 8 for arraignment. (NAN)

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