By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, threatened to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of former Senator Andy Uba if he fails to appear in court on October 28 to stand trial.
Our correspondent reports that, Uba and his co-accused, Benjamin Etu, are facing prosecution over allegations of fraud to the tune of ₦400 million.
Justice Mohammed Umar issued the warning after Uba’s counsel, C.F. Odiniru, pleaded for more time to allow his client appear in court.
The development followed an application by the Inspector-General of Police’s counsel, Aminu Abdullahi, who urged the court to issue a bench warrant under Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, citing Uba’s repeated absence from proceedings.
When the matter was called, Etu was present in the dock, but Uba was again absent. Odiniru apologised, explaining that his client was unavoidably absent due to illness.
“We apologise for the absence of the 1st defendant (Uba), who is unavoidably absent due to illness,” Odiniru said.
Abdullahi, however, countered, noting that the same excuse was given in July. “We reluctantly accepted it then, and today, the same reason is being advanced. My lord, we cannot continue this way. We are applying for a bench warrant,” he argued.
He added that since the charge was filed in 2024, Uba had never appeared in court, describing his absence as a sign of disrespect to the judicial process.
Odiniru opposed the application, insisting that his client was undergoing medical treatment in a United States hospital and had provided supporting documents to the prosecution. Abdullahi denied receiving such documents, dismissing Odiniru’s claims as speculative.
Justice Umar, dissatisfied with Uba’s consistent absence, rhetorically asked whether a defendant could not be brought to court on a stretcher if necessary.
He, however, gave Uba one last opportunity to appear, adjourning the matter to October 28 for plea.
Our correspondent recalls that earlier, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had, on July 7, granted the Inspector-General of Police approval to prosecute Uba and Etu.
The prosecution had also on March 5 amended a two-count charge against Uba and Etu. Initially, Uba, his relation Crystal Uba, and Etu were listed as defendants, but Crystal’s name was later dropped in the amended charge.
In count one, Uba, Etu, and one Hajiya Fatima (still at large) were accused of conspiring in 2022 to obtain ₦400 million by false pretence from Mr. George Uboh, under the guise of securing the appointment of a Managing Director for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The offence is said to contravene Section 8 and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Uboh, in a petition dated April 5, 2023, submitted to the Inspector-General of Police, claimed to have documentary and audio evidence of the alleged fraud. At least six witnesses have been listed to testify against Uba and Etu.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
