A Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to issue arrest warrants against former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah and eight others named in a pending fraud charge if they fail to attend the next hearing.
Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the warning on Monday when Oduah (now a serving Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District) and some other defendants were absent at the proceedings with no explanation from their lawyers
Named with Oduah as defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020 are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd, Sobora International Ltd and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd.
In the 25-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the nine defendants are accused, among others, of engaging in the laundering of about N10billion.
They are particularly charged with conspiracy, money laundering and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with an old generation bank.
At the mention of the case on Monday, the court noted only the second and third defendants (Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi) were present.
The development prompted the prosecuting lawyer, Hassan Liman (SAN) to complain about the absence of the other defendants without any explanation from their lawyers.
Justice Ekwo noted the court’s business for the day was for the prosecution to report its compliance with an earlier order granting leave for substituted service of the charge on the fifth and sixth defendants.
“When trial is fixed and they are not here, you can then complain,” the judge told Liman, who reported that the prosecution has complied with the order for substituted service.
In a ruling later, Justice Ekwo observed, as earlier noted by the prosecution, that beside the second and third defendants, the others were absent.
“This is a note of warning that warrants of arrest would be issued at the next date against any defendant, who is absent,” the judge said.
Upon the agreement of all lawyers in the case, the judge then adjourned till October 19 and 20 for arraignment and commencement of trial.
– Media Report