RismadarVoice Reporters
June 8, 2026
Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has asked an Abuja High Court to set aside the arrest warrant issued against her in an ongoing corruption case.
Farouq, who is standing trial alongside former Permanent Secretary, Bashir Alkali and Sani Mohammed, was absent from court during Monday’s proceedings. The other defendants, however, were present.
Her counsel, Oladipo Opeseyi, informed the court that the former minister was unable to attend due to health challenges and urged the court to hear an application seeking to vacate the arrest warrant issued on April 16.
Counsel to the prosecution, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, opposed the request, arguing that the application could not be entertained before Farouq had been formally arraigned.
According to the prosecution, court records indicate that the application can only be considered after arraignment. However, the defence maintained that the request to set aside the warrant was a preliminary issue that should be determined before any arraignment proceedings.
During the hearing, Opeseyi explained that communication with his client had been difficult because she was reportedly on a 10-day holiday in Egypt and dealing with health-related issues. He stressed that the application specifically sought the revocation of the arrest warrant.
Presiding judge, Jude Onwuegbuzie, allowed both parties to present arguments on the matter. While the defence urged the court to withdraw the warrant, the prosecution asked the court to dismiss the application and questioned the credibility of the medical reports submitted by Farouq’s legal team.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case until June 10, 2026, when a ruling on the application is expected to be delivered.
