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

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, in his ruling, held that the former minister had failed to appear before the court without a valid reason, thereby justifying the issuance of the arrest warrant.

Farouq is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside two others; 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.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the law empowers the court to issue a bench warrant where a defendant in a criminal proceeding fails to honour court summons without sufficient justification.

The judge questioned the medical grounds advanced by the defence for Farouq’s absence, noting that the medical report tendered did not establish why she could not receive treatment in Nigeria or appear before the court.

He observed that the defendant was fully aware of the criminal proceedings but had failed to attend court without valid reason, describing the application as lacking merit.

“There is no merit in this application,” the judge ruled, dismissing the request to vacate the warrant of arrest.

Following the ruling, counsel to the prosecution, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, commended the court for what he described as a well-considered decision and urged the court to enforce an earlier undertaking made by Farouq’s lead counsel, A.A. Ibrahim, SAN, to produce the defendant before the court.

Jacobs argued that the medical report attached to the application had prescribed a treatment period of between six and eight weeks, which, according to him, expired on June 9, 2026.

He informed the court that the EFCC intended to enforce the arrest warrant and urged the defence team to cooperate by producing their client at the next adjourned date to avoid coercive measures.

Responding, A.M. Lawal, who appeared on behalf of A.A. Ibrahim, SAN, requested that Ibrahim be given the opportunity to personally address the court on the issue of the alleged undertaking.

Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the request, stating that Ibrahim should be present in court to respond to the matter.

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