Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, on Monday dismissed an application filed by a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq, seeking to set aside the bench warrant and warrant of arrest earlier issued against her.

The judge ruled that Farouq failed to provide a valid reason for her absence from court and ruled that the law empowered the court to issue a bench warrant where a defendant deliberately fails to appear in a criminal proceeding, according to a statement by EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale.

Farouq is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed over allegations of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds amounting to $1.3 million and N746.7 million.

The statement said the judge faulted the former minister’s explanation for her absence and described her excuses as unconvincing.

“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 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 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,” he said.

The judge stressed the distinction between criminal and civil proceedings, insisting that criminal matters must follow established legal procedures.

“It is important that the applicant 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 am of the opinion that there is no merit in this application, I so hold,” he added.

Following the ruling, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), commended the court and urged it to enforce an undertaking allegedly made by Farouq’s lead counsel, A.A. Ibrahim (SAN), to produce his client before the court.

“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 and eight weeks within which the defendant will be arrested and that the eight weeks had expired on June 9, 2026.

“I plead with your lordship that 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 adjournment to avoid a coercive power,” he added.

Responding, A.M. Lawal, who appeared for Ibrahim, urged the court to allow the senior advocate to personally address the issue of the undertaking.

Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request, stating that Ibrahim should be given the opportunity to defend himself on the matter.

The case was subsequently adjourned until July 2, 2026, for arraignment. (Vanguard)

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