News
High Court Rejects Ex-minister Sadiya Farouq’s Bid To Set Aside Arrest Warrant
High Court Rejects Ex-minister Sadiya Farouq’s Bid To Set Aside Arrest Warrant
A Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Monday, rejected an application filed by the counsel to a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq seeking to set aside the bench and arrest warrants issued against the former minister
Ms Farouq, alongside Bashir Nura Alikali and Sani Nafiu Muhammed, is expected to face prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds to the tune of $1.3 million and N746.7 million.
Eereporter.com
Delivering his ruling on Monday, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie held that the defendant had willfully failed to appear in court without a valid reason, noting that the law empowered the court when it had been ascertained that the defendant was absent from court without a valid reason to issue a bench warrant of arrest.
Mr Onwuegbuzie ruled, “The defendant who is fully aware that this is a criminal proceeding has willfully failed to appear in court without a valid reason and the law empowers the court when it has been ascertained that the defendant is absent from court without a valid reason to issue a bench warrant of arrest. There is nothing in the exhibit explaining why the defendant who has mere arthritis and heart disease cannot appear before the court.
“Is it that there are no medical facilities in Nigeria? I am convinced that the 1st defendant is trying to hide behind her fingers, by raising bogus excuses. It is important that the applicant be reminded that this is a criminal matter and not a civil one and there is an approach to its proceedings. By all legal considerations, I am of the opinion that there is no merit in this application, I so hold.”
Reacting, counsel to the prosecution, Rotimi Jacobs, hailed the judge for a well-considered ruling, reminding the court of the undertaking by defence counsel A.A Ibrahim, SAN to produce the 1st defendant.
Mr Jacobs also urged the court that the undertaking should not be taken for granted but be enforced.
“My lordship, for a senior counsel to make an undertaking which is reflected in your lordship`s ruling, we crave your lordship to give effect to that undertaking by A.A Ibrahim SAN to produce the defendant. If you look at the so- called medical report attached, it is only asking for the period of six and eight weeks with which the defendant will be arrested and that the eight weeks had expired on June 9, 2026.
“I plead with your lordship that the court should not take the undertaking for granted. On our part, we have decided to give effect to the arrest of the first defendant, we also ask the counsel to the first defendant to cooperate and produce his client on the next adjournment to avoid a coercive power” he said
The matter was adjourned to July 2, 2026 for arraignment.

Sadiya Farouq
Ms Farouq’s application dismissal came a week after the erstwhile minister prayed to the court to set aside a bench warrant issued against her.
The court had granted EFCC leave to arrest and arraign Ms Farouq on April 16, alongside Messrs Alkali and Mohammed.
However, the former minister failed to appear as ordered by the court, but both the second and third accused persons were present.
Eereporter.com
Economy
US President Trump Lists 25 Achievements of First 20 Months in Office
US President Trump Lists 25 Achievements of First 20 Months in Office
President Donald Trump has listed 25 achievements he said his administration had recorded since returning to office in January 2025.
Eereporter.com
Trump made the claims in a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, where he highlighted his administration’s policies on immigration, taxes, trade, crime, defence, energy, education and foreign affairs.
Among the achievements listed by the US president were what he described as the “most secure border in history”, the signing of the Laken Riley Act and what he called the largest drop in the US murder rate in history.
Below is the full list:
Achieved the most secure border in history – ZERO illegal aliens admitted to the United States in the past 16 months.
Signed the Laken Riley Act to get dangerous criminal aliens off our streets.
Achieved the largest drop in the murder rate EVER recorded, to the lowest level in 125 years-since 1900.
Signed the largest tax cuts in American History – the Great Big Beautiful Bill-including No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and No Tax on Social Security for our great seniors.
Secured commitments for $19.2 trillion dollars of new investment in the United States.
Imposed historic tariffs to bring back American Manufacturing – including 50% tariffs on foreign copper, aluminum, and steel, and 25% tariffs on foreign automobiles.
The stock market has set 80 all-time record highs since the election.
More Americans are working today than at any time in the history of our country.
Made the largest-ever investment in the United States Armed Forces- $1 trillion dollars this year, and hopefully $1.5 trillion next year.
Captured and brought to justice the outlaw dictator of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, through Operation Absolute Resolve.
Obliterated Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury to ensure Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon.
Conducted numerous successful military strikes to smash the drug cartels operating in our hemisphere-brought the flow of deadly fentanyl across our border down by a record 60%.
Secured Most Favoured Nation agreements to reduce the cost of many prescription drugs by price differences of 300, 400, 500, and 600 percent.
Terminated the Green New Scam, declared a National Energy Emergency, and began to Drill, Baby, Drill.
Ended the insane Electric Vehicle Mandate and other crippling regulations on American Automobiles.
American Exports have soared to the highest level in American history-we are on track to export an unprecedented $2.5 TRILLION dollars in goods this year alone.
17 Abolished all discriminatory “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion” (DEI) policies throughout the federal government and private sector.
Banned MEN from playing in women’s sports.
Banned transgender ideology and critical race theory in our schools.

Trump
Launched Trump Accounts – tax free investment accounts for every American child, starting with $1,000 for every newborn child.
Settled 8 raging wars with historic peace deals in our first 12 months- including the War in Gaza.
Got all living hostages returned to their families, both living and dead.
Halted all refugee admissions to the United States, including from Somalia and other dangerous places.
Deployed National Guard to restore Law and Order to Washington, D.C., Memphis, and New Orleans.
Made English the Official Language of the United States.
The list comes as the Trump administration continues to promote its record ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections.
Eereporter.com
Akwa Ibom
Governor Umo Eno Reveals Economic Gains of Convention Centre, Ibom Hotel, Shopping City Projects
Governor Umo Eno Reveals Economic Gains of Convention Centre, Ibom Hotel, Shopping City Projects
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed delight over the economic impact and employment opportunities created by the ongoing International Convention Centre, Ibom International Hotel and ARISE Shopping City projects in Uyo.
Eereporter.com
Governor Eno said the projects, beyond their infrastructural significance, have engaged more than 2,000 people daily over the past year, thereby contributing to economic activities and enhancing peace and security in the State.
The Governor spoke on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while addressing members of the Government House Press Corps shortly after inspecting the ongoing construction works at the three project sites in Uyo.
He expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, describing the projects as a manifestation of visions conceived by previous administrations.
“I am happy that there is visible progress and we thank God for what we see on ground. The International Hotel and the International Conference Centre were envisaged 16 years ago and I am happy that we are realizing that vision,” he said.
Governor Eno said the projects would also support the State’s tourism development and youth empowerment objectives under his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
According to him, the facilities, when completed, would boost tourism, attract visitors and investors, create employment opportunities for youths and showcase Akwa Ibom’s tourism potential to the international community.
“The International Convention Centre can take 5,000 people, and there are partitions that would help you segment your meetings. There are twelve breakout rooms, restaurant and other facilities” he said.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing modern tourism facilities that would complement Akwa Ibom’s growing profile as a tourism destination.
“What we are seeing here is part of development. If this is a state capital, and we want tourists to visit, we must have the facilities to accommodate them by developing those facilities to international standards,” he added.
Governor Eno commended the contractors handling the projects for maintaining the pace of work and expressed hope that the facilities would be completed and commissioned on schedule for the benefit of the people.

Umo Eno
The Governor was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr Aniefiok Johnson; Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga; Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah; other members of the State Executive Council and government officials.
Eereporter.com
News
NPF Repatriates Chinese Fugitive Wanted Over Smuggling of Endangered African Rosewood
NPF Repatriates Chinese Fugitive Wanted Over Smuggling of Endangered African Rosewood
The Nigeria Police Force, through INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Zhang Shijie, to Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China, following his arrest in Nigeria in connection with alleged large-scale smuggling of endangered African Rosewood.
Eereporter.com
Zhang, who was wanted by the Yangpu Sub-Bureau of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Haikou Customs District, was the subject of an arrest warrant issued on 7th January, 2021 over his alleged involvement in the smuggling of approximately 1,400 tonnes of Pterocarpus erinaceus, commonly known as African Rosewood, an endangered tree species indigenous to West Africa. The consignment was valued at about 15.7 million Chinese Yuan.
The alleged offences were committed between November 2020 and January 2021, after which Zhang remained outside China. Intelligence subsequently established his presence in Nigeria, where he was residing in Ogun State with a Chinese passport which expired since 11th November, 2023.
Following sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated investigative efforts, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja arrested the fugitive on 10 September 2026 in the Ogere area of Ogun State, after which he was repatriated to Guangzhou, China, on 16th September 2026 in furtherance of bilateral police cooperation.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, reiterates the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening international police cooperation and maximising INTERPOL tools and capabilities in tracking fugitives, combating transnational organised crime and preventing Nigeria from being used as a safe haven by persons wanted for criminal offences in other jurisdictions.

Chinese
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to working with INTERPOL and international law-enforcement partners to strengthen cross-border security, disrupt transnational criminal networks and ensure that fugitives are brought within the reach of justice.
CSP Ani Iniedu, Anipr
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
17th September, 2026
Eereporter.com
-
Crime1 year agoKogi Assembly Considers Law To Regulate Rent, Establish Control Board: Tenancy Law
-
News1 year agoAtiku Reveals Why He Failed To Pick Wike As Running Mate In 2023
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Crime2 years agoFederal High Court Jails 2 For Vandalizing Transformer, Telecom Mast In Kogi
-
News2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News2 years agoSenator Natasha Returns To Senate With Husband Amid Seat Dispute
-
Economy1 year agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?
