However, yesterday, a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, dismissed a motion by the former Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, to remove the bench warrant and the arrest warrant issued against her in a pending case.
Farouq is in the court with Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed on accusations filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for criminal conspiracy, misuse of office and diversion of public monies to the tune of $1.3 million and ₦746.7 million.
Justice Onwuegbuzie, in his ruling on the motion, found that the defendant failed to appear before the court without any legitimate explanation, Daily Independent reports.
“The defendant has persistently failed to comply with the processes of this court without lawful excuse,” he said, noting that such conduct warranted the issuance of a bench warrant.
The judge also dismissed the defence’s medical justification, saying the paperwork produced did not sufficiently account for her absence.
“The medical report presented to the court does not satisfactorily demonstrate that the defendant is incapacitated to the extent of being unable to attend proceedings.”
He called the answer “unconvincing,” and said it was a ploy to delay the trial.
He further emphasised that it was a criminal case and had to be dealt with carefully in terms of due process and that there was no merit in the application before the court.
Counsel to the prosecution, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, applauded the ruling, telling the court that “the defence had earlier given a clear undertaking to ensure the defendant’s presence in court.
He urged the court to execute the pledge, saying the medical report being relied on had expired and should not be used to obstruct proceedings.
In his response, A.M. Lawal who represented A.A. Ibrahim, SAN, urged the court to permit the lead counsel to personally appear and address the court on the issues concerning the alleged undertaking. He contended that “only lead counsel can adequately respond to the issues raised by the prosecution with respect to the undertaking.
Justice Onwuegbuzie approved the motion after hearing the application, and Ibrahim, SAN, was allowed to come to court and address the case.
The court then continued the matter for arraignment to July 2, 2026.
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