A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo has issued a warrant for the arrest of the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq.

The order, granted on Thursday, April 16, 2026, follows her repeated failure to appear in court for her scheduled arraignment over allegations of multi-million dollar corruption.

Trial Judge, Jude Onwuegbuzie issued the warrant after an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The anti-graft agency is prosecuting the former minister alongside a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, who is also the subject of an arrest order. Both officials were notably absent from the court proceedings, leaving the third defendant, Sani Mohammed, to face the bench alone.

The legal action centers on a 21-count charge involving the alleged misappropriation of $1.3 million and approximately ₦746.6 million. The charges brought by the EFCC include criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, and the fraudulent award of contracts. These funds were reportedly diverted during Umar-Farouq’s tenure under the previous administration, where she oversaw high-profile social intervention programs designed to aid Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.

This latest judicial order marks a significant escalation in the long-running investigation into the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry. While the former minister had previously honored some EFCC invitations and denied any wrongdoing, the court’s decision to mandate her arrest underscores the gravity of the current charges.

The EFCC has signaled its intent to enforce the warrant immediately to ensure the defendants are brought before the court to enter their pleas.