By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Sadiya Farouq, a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, on Monday prayed an Abuja High Court to set aside a bench warrant issued against her.

The court had granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) leave to arraign Ms Farouq on April 16, alongside a former permanent secretary in the ministry, Bashir Alkali and Sani Mohammed.

Again, Ms Farouq failed to appear as ordered by the court, but both the second and third accused persons were present.

The Prosecution Counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that the first defendant was absent.

Ms Farouq’s counsel, Oladipo Opeseyi, SAN, told the court that his client was not in court on medical grounds.

He prayed that the court hear his application.

Mr Atolagbe, however, objected to the request, arguing that the arraignment had not been done.

“According to the records of the court, the application cannot be heard until after arraignment,” he said.

He said that the first defendant’s counsel promised to produce his client.

“I object to the submission of the prosecution, saying the application cannot be heard until after arraignment,” Mr Opeseyi said.

He said the application was preliminary in a criminal matter and was ripe for hearing under the law.

“If the court cannot hear it, it is tantamount to abandonment. An arraignment is the prosecution presenting the accused person to the court,” he said.

At this juncture, the court asked the first defendant’s counsel when his client would be in court.

In response, Mr Opeseyi told the court that the 10-day holiday in Egypt made it impossible to communicate with his client.

Secondly, he said, “We are not the medical doctors to give the conditions of her health.”

He further stated that the application in question sought that the court set aside the warrant of arrest issued against the first defendant on April 16.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie said, “The court needs to know how to act.

“The court is aware that you are not the medical doctor and neither is the court”.

The judge, however, allowed the first defendant‘s application to be heard.

The first defendant’s counsel, Mr Oluseyi, argued his application, urging the court to grant it and set aside the warrant of arrest issued on his client.

Opposing the application, Mr Atolagbe urged the court not to grant the application.

In addition, he urged the court to discountenance all the medical reports submitted by the first defendant, because they lacked credibility.

Justice Onwuegbuzie, after listening to the submissions, adjourned until June 10 to rule on the application.

Residents of Bachirawa and surrounding communities in Kano State have raised concerns over what they describe as a worsening security situation marked by violent clashes, criminal activities, and the displacement of residents.

The concerns were contained in a statement issued by the Bachirawa Consensus Development Association (BCDA), which alleged that recurring violence linked to rival groups has continued to threaten lives and property in the area.

According to the association, tensions have escalated in recent weeks, particularly around Bachirawa, Ungogo, Kwanar Ungogo, NRC Road, and the Bayan Waya (Makera) axis. The group claimed that the unrest has been fueled by activities attributed to rival factions identified by residents as Habun Daidai and Tsalha Maikare.

The association further alleged that criminal elements involved in drug trafficking and other unlawful activities have established strongholds in parts of the area, particularly around Kwanar Ungogo Market and adjoining communities. The claims, however, have not been independently verified by security authorities.

Residents said the persistent violence has created fear among community members, forcing many families to flee their homes in search of safety. They also alleged that several houses had been destroyed during the unrest, leaving affected residents homeless and facing significant economic hardship.

According to the statement, the violence intensified during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and continued through June 6, 2026, disrupting normal activities and creating an atmosphere of insecurity across the affected communities.

The BCDA expressed concern over what it described as inadequate intervention by relevant authorities, urging security agencies to take decisive action to restore peace and order in the area.

The association specifically appealed to the Kano State Commissioner of Police to review the deployment of personnel within the Bachirawa and Ungogo Police Divisions as part of efforts to strengthen security and rebuild public confidence.

The group also called on the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf to conduct an independent assessment of the security challenges facing the area.

“We appeal to His Excellency to either visit the community personally or send a high-powered delegation to investigate the situation and assess the conditions in Kwanar Ungogo Market, which residents believe has become a major hub for criminal activities,” the statement said.

The association further referenced an incident involving an alleged assault on a resident, claiming that a suspect identified as Baffa remains at large. The group expressed concern over the alleged lack of progress in the case and called for a thorough investigation by security agencies.

Community leaders said the deteriorating security situation has continued to affect social and economic activities, with many residents living in fear of further violence.

They urged security agencies and government authorities to take immediate steps to address the underlying causes of the unrest, apprehend those responsible for criminal acts, and provide protection for law-abiding residents.

The residents maintained that urgent intervention is needed to prevent further escalation and restore peace to Bachirawa and neighboring communities.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The federal ministry of finance says it has approved payments to more than 1,240 contractors across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

In a statement on Monday, Mary-Ann Duke, senior special assistant on communication and press secretary to the minister of finance, said the approval followed a verification and reconciliation exercise to validate outstanding obligations.

Duke said contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less were prioritised in the latest batch of payments.

“The Federal Ministry of Finance has approved payments to more than 1,240 contractors, providing immediate liquidity support to businesses across the country and reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to meeting its financial obligations,” the statement reads.

The ministry said the payments would provide relief to indigenous businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to return to project sites, pay workers and settle suppliers.

“Contractors prioritised for payment in the most recent batch are those with verified claims in the region of N100 million or less,” Duke said.

The ministry added that the federal government has processed more than N700 billion in verified obligations owed to local contractors in recent months.

The statement said within the month of May alone, approximately N436.6 billion in transactions were processed, demonstrating a significant acceleration in payment activity aimed at unlocking liquidity and supporting economic growth.

According to the ministry, prioritising smaller contractors is intended to spread the impact of the disbursements across sectors and regions, while helping businesses sustain operations, preserve jobs and complete ongoing projects.

The ministry said the latest payments are also expected to boost confidence among contractors, suppliers and service providers doing business with the government.

In January, local contractors prevented Doris Uzoka-Anite, the former minister of state for finance, from accessing the ministry.

Six months later, the senate constituted a panel to engage the finance ministry on debts owed to contractors.