Court orders arrest of ex-minister Sadiya Farouq and aide over alleged $1.3m fraud linked to social intervention funds.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has issued arrest warrants against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and her associate, Alkali, following their failure to appear in court over an alleged fraud case.
The court approved the application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), enabling authorities to detain the defendants and compel their appearance in court. However, a third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, was present during proceedings.
The case involves a 21-count charge filed in December 2025, accusing the defendants of diverting approximately $1.3 million and N746.6 million in public funds. The alleged offenses reportedly occurred between May 2021 and September 2022 and are linked to criminal breach of trust and fraudulent contract awards.
Investigations by the EFCC indicate that the funds in question were tied to social intervention programmes managed under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
With the court granting the bench warrants, the anti-graft agency now has the legal backing to arrest the accused persons and proceed with prosecution.
ALSO READ: Tinubu Fires Back at Opposition, Dismisses ADC Convention Ahead of 2027 Ambitions
In a related development, reports indicate that Sadiya Farouq has been taken into custody shortly after her husband announced his intention to contest the Bauchi State governorship election under the ADC coalition. The development has sparked mixed reactions, with some critics alleging political motives behind the case.
