Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, presided over by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, and a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Alkali.
The order was given yesterday by Justice Onwuegbuzie following their failure to appear in court for arraignment.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed charges against the defendants alongside Sani Rabiu over alleged offences.
The defendants were earlier scheduled to be arraigned in 2025, but the proceedings could not go on due to their absence.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court of an ex parte application seeking a warrant of arrest against Farouq and Alkali pursuant to Section 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
Jacobs, however, amended the application as Rabiu was present in court.
Ruling on the application, Justice Onwuegbuzie noted that the defendants had been duly served through substituted means as earlier directed by the court but failed to honour the summons.
Satisfied with the proof of service, the court issued a bench warrant for their arrest and adjourned the matter till May 18 for arraignment.
