A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has issued a warrant of arrest against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, over their alleged involvement in a multi-million naira fraud case.

The arrest order was issued on Thursday, April 16, 2026, by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court after the two defendants failed to appear in court for their scheduled arraignment.

SEE ALSO: Diezani Claims She Was NNPC&’s Rubber Stamp Before London Court

The duo, alongside a third defendant, Sani Nafiu Mohammed, are facing a 21-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The charges border on alleged criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and the diversion of public funds totaling $1.3 million and N746,574,303.
At Thursday’s proceedings, only Mohammed was present in court.

According to the EFCC, the alleged offences occurred between May 2021 and September 2022 in Abuja.

The anti-graft agency accused Farouq and Alkali of misappropriating funds meant to be refunded to the ministry by a private firm, Visual ICT Limited.

The money was reportedly linked to excess payments under the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) for the validation of Rapid Response Register beneficiaries.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, told the court that although the charges were filed on December 15, 2025, the two defendants could not initially be served.

He added that despite assurances from their legal representatives, they failed to present themselves in court.

Jacobs further revealed that Farouq had earlier requested the release of her passport for a medical trip to Saudi Arabia in 2024 but has yet to return it or provide any medical report to justify her absence.

“My lord, since that passport was released to her, she has not returned it to the Commission, and no medical report has been submitted,” Jacobs stated, questioning the validity of the health claims presented by her counsel.

Counsel to the first defendant, Abdul Ibrahim, attributed his client’s absence to ill health and attempted to tender an affidavit to that effect, but the court rejected the application.

The EFCC also sought to amend an earlier ex-parte motion to focus on the first and second defendants and requested a bench warrant to compel their appearance.

The prosecution supported its request with an affidavit stating that both defendants had been granted administrative bail but failed to report back.

In response, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to grant a six-week extension to produce Farouq in court.

However, in his ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie granted the EFCC’s application and issued a warrant for the arrest of the two defendants.

The case was subsequently adjourned to May 18, 2026, for arraignment and commencement of trial.

Pandemonium broke out at a private hospital in Ikotun, Lagos, after a woman accused medical staff of withholding one of her twins following childbirth.

The incident, which has since gone viral on social media, captured the emotional moment the woman—identified as 28-year-old Blessing Isioma David—stormed the hospital premises while clutching a newborn and demanding answers over the whereabouts of her second baby.

ALSO READ: Lagos Hosts Oil Refiners’ Confab

In the video, the distraught mother is heard shouting, “Where is my baby? I did not come here to lose my child,” drawing attention from other patients and passersby.

Those who accompanied her also joined in the confrontation, calling on authorities to arrest the hospital staff over suspected foul play.

According to reports, the woman had earlier undergone an obstetric scan in March 2026, which indicated a twin pregnancy.

The scan reportedly showed two foetuses with normal heart activity, further fueling her insistence that she delivered two babies.

However, the hospital, identified as Tip-Top Solution Hospital, has denied the allegation.

The Medical Director, Dr. Sunday Babajide, maintained that only one baby was delivered, attributing the confusion to an error in the initial scan.

He explained that the patient’s husband was present during the delivery and witnessed the birth of only one child, adding that the mother was conscious throughout the procedure.

Babajide noted that scans done at certain stages of pregnancy could sometimes produce inaccurate results, especially if not confirmed with follow-up examinations.

“The mistake was that we didn’t insist on another scan to verify the result,” he admitted, while dismissing claims of baby trafficking or misconduct.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos has confirmed that it has commenced an investigation into the matter.

Police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the Command is working with relevant medical authorities to determine the truth behind the conflicting claims.

She added that the Area Commander in charge of the district is personally overseeing the case, assuring the public that findings will be made known once investigations are concluded.

Residents have been urged to remain calm as authorities work to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident, which has continued to generate heated reactions online.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, until April 15 and 16.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the adjournment on Tuesday after the prosecution requested more time to prepare for the trial.

During the court session, lead prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that he had only recently been assigned to handle the case and needed additional time to consult with witnesses.

SEE ALSO: Malami Speaks Out On Court Ruling, Urges Nigerians To Stay Calm

“I got the instruction to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and so I need time to interface with the witnesses,” Kehinde told the court while asking for a new hearing date.

Counsel for the defendants, Shuaibu Arua (SAN), did not oppose the request for adjournment.

Following the application, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and fixed April 15 and 16 for the continuation of the trial.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier arraigned the former justice minister and his son on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami was accused of allegedly aiding terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to him while he served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The defendants were also accused of illegally storing firearms and ammunition at their residence located in Gesse Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.

Items allegedly recovered include a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.

The alleged offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, 2004.

The trial is expected to continue in April when the court begins full hearing of the case.