The arraignment of the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, was stalled on Monday due to her absence in court.
Her defense counsel, Oladipo Okpesheyi, informed the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, that his client is currently in Egypt receiving medical treatment.
According to Okpesheyi, a medical report received the previous night indicated that Farouq is unfit to travel and will require approximately two months to recover before she can stand trial.
Farouq is facing a 21-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Bashir Nura Alkali, a former permanent secretary in the ministry, and Sani Mohammed.
The anti-graft agency alleges that the defendants breached public trust, abused their offices, and misappropriated public funds.
The total amount involved in the alleged corruption scandal is estimated at $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million.
During the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), expressed frustration over Farouq’s absence, noting that a bench warrant had already been issued for her arrest.
Jacobs pointed out that while the second defendant had complied with court orders and surrendered, the former minister had failed to appear for her scheduled arraignment.
He subsequently urged the court to sustain the existing arrest warrant against her.
Presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, questioned the defense’s medical explanation and strictly warned against the use of delay tactics to stall the judicial process.
Maintaining that the arrest warrant against the former minister remains firmly in force, Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter to June 8, 2026, for the formal arraignment of the defendants.
