Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq.
The judge also ordered the arrest of Bashir Alkali, a former permanent secretary in the ministry.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed criminal charges against Farouq, who served in the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, Alkali and Sani Rabiu.
They were to be arraigned sometimes in 2025 but the arraignment was stalled due to the absence of the defendants in court.
On March 23, Justice Onwuegbuzie ordered substituted service on them and directed the EFCC to paste the charge on their known addresses.
At the resumed sitting on Thursday, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court about an exparte application by the prosecution seeking warrant of arrest for Farouq and Alkali.
The application, according to Jacobs, was brought pursuant to Section 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
Jacobs, however, amended the application because Rabiu was present in court.
Abdul Ibrahim (SAN) appeared for the former minister
In his ruling, the judge noted that Exhibit SF1 attached to the affidavit in support of the application is an affidavit of service of the charge on the defendants as directed by the court at the last sitting.
Having been satisfied that the former minister and the second defendant refused to appear in court after service, Justice Onwuegbuzie subsequently issued bench warrant for the arrest of the two defendants.
He, thereafter, adjourned the matter till May 18 for arraignment.
 High Court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against){kind=link}