By Paul Joseph
Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, is reportedly receiving medical treatment in Egypt and has been declared medically unfit to appear before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
Farouq is facing a 21-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside Bashir Nura Alkali, a permanent secretary in the ministry, and Sani Mohammed over allegations bordering on breach of trust, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.
According to the anti-graft agency, the defendants allegedly misappropriated about $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million. The matter is currently before the FCT High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment but noted that Farouq was absent despite an existing bench warrant issued against her.
Jacobs argued that the second defendant had already submitted himself to the court following the earlier order and urged the court to maintain the arrest warrant against the former minister.
Counsel to Farouq, Oladipo Okpesheyi, however, told the court that his client was currently in Egypt undergoing medical treatment and would not be fit to appear before the court for approximately two months.
“My lord, she is in Egypt. I learnt that her doctor said she is not medically fit to appear today.
There is a medical report I received on my phone last night that she is in the hospital on doctor’s advice in Egypt,” the lawyer said while seeking an adjournment.
Presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, questioned the explanation and cautioned against what he described as possible delay tactics, insisting that the bench warrant earlier issued against the former minister would remain in force.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to June 8, 2026, for arraignment proceedings.
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