A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq and Permanent Secretary Bashir Nura Alkali over alleged fraud involving $1.3 million and N746.6 million.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie gave the order on Thursday, April 16, 2026, after both defendants failed to appear for arraignment. Only the third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, was present in court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to arraign the three on a 21-count charge covering criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and diversion of public funds. Prosecutors say the alleged offenses occurred between May 8, 2021 and September 22, 2022.

One of the counts alleges that Farouq and Alkali fraudulently converted $1.3 million meant to be refunded to the ministry by Visual ICT Limited under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office. The funds were tied to validation of Rapid Response Register beneficiaries.

EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, told the court the charge was filed on December 15, 2025, but the first and second defendants could not be served initially. He said Farouq had earlier been granted permission to travel to Saudi Arabia for a medical check-up in 2024 and her passport was released, but she has not returned it or submitted any medical report from that trip. An affidavit submitted by her counsel on Thursday morning contained medical reports dated after the charge was filed.

Counsel to Farouq, Abdul Ibrahim, SAN, said his client was absent due to ill health and sought to tender an affidavit of fact, but the court declined the application.

The case was adjourned for further proceedings as the court insisted on the physical presence of all defendants.