By Ghazali Ibrahim
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has issued a warrant of arrest against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, over her failure to appear in court for arraignment on alleged fraud charges.
The order was granted on Thursday by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is prosecuting the case.
Farouq is facing a 21-count charge bordering on alleged breach of trust, abuse of office, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to about $1.3 million and over N746 million.
At the court sitting, counsel to the EFCC informed the court that the former minister and another defendant failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment, while only one of the accused persons was present. The prosecution subsequently urged the court to issue a bench warrant to compel their appearance.
Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request, ordering security agencies to arrest the defendants and produce them before the court to answer the charges.
The case is part of ongoing anti-corruption efforts targeting the management of funds under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs during the previous administration.
Farouq, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has previously been under investigation over the handling of social investment programmes and other financial transactions during her tenure.
The matter has been adjourned pending the arrest and arraignment of the defendants.
