Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has asked a federal high court in Abuja to set aside the arrest warrant issued against her in connection with an alleged fraud case involving $1.3 million and ₦746.6 million.
The warrant was issued in April by an FCT High Court in Apo after Farouq and a co-defendant, Bashir Nura Alkali, failed to appear for arraignment.
Both are among three defendants facing a 21-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged misappropriation of public funds.
At Monday’s proceedings, Farouq was absent, while Alkali and another defendant, Sani Mohammed, were present.
Her counsel, Oladipo Okpeseyi, told the court she was unavailable due to health challenges and sought to vacate the warrant.
He argued that refusing to hear the application would amount to treating it as abandoned.EFCC counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, opposed the request, insisting the application was premature since Farouq had not yet been arraigned.
He also urged the court to disregard medical reports tendered by the defense, questioning their credibility.
Presiding judge Jude Onwuegbuzie allowed arguments on the application and adjourned the matter until June 10 for ruling.
The EFCC had earlier maintained that Farouq was in Egypt receiving medical treatment, but prosecutors pressed for the warrant to remain in force to prevent delays in the case.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com