Justice Samira Bature of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, on Thursday ordered the arrest of a police officer, Edith Erhunmuuse, for allegedly evading arraignment in an ongoing criminal case.
The judge further directed all law enforcement agencies across the country to arrest Erhunmuuse wherever she may be found.
Justice Bature granted the application following a request by the prosecution counsel, Aderonke Imana.
Erhunmuuse is the third defendant in a charge marked FCT/HC/CR/222/2023, alongside Cecil Osakwe and Victor Giwa. The defendants are facing allegations of criminal conduct arising from the alleged forceful eviction of occupants and destruction of property valued at about N300 million.
At the resumed hearing, Imana informed the court that Erhunmuuse had again failed to appear despite an earlier bench warrant issued against her.
According to the prosecution, letters had previously been sent to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, while directives had also been issued by the Inspector-General of Police to ensure her appearance in court.
“Yet, the defendant failed to appear in spite of the directives of the Inspector-General of Police,” Imana told the court.
Citing Section 353 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the prosecution urged the court to issue another warrant against the absent defendant.
Imana argued that Erhunmuuse had ignored court proceedings for over a year, while the other defendants had consistently attended proceedings.
Counsel to the first defendant, A.S. Usman, informed the court that efforts at amicable settlement discussed at the previous sitting were still ongoing. The second defendant, Victor Giwa, who appeared in person, aligned himself with the submission.
In her ruling, Justice Bature expressed dissatisfaction over the conduct of the third defendant, noting that the court could no longer tolerate further delays.
“The court is approaching its vacation time and cannot further delay the matter, including the order of arrest against the third defendant,” the judge said.
“The court hereby issues a bench warrant to all law enforcement agencies for the arrest of the third defendant, wherever she may be found, for showing disobedience and disrespect to this court,” Justice Bature ruled.
The order was made pursuant to Section 352 of the ACJA 2015.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until September 29 for continuation of trial, with the court warning that there would be no further excuses for non-appearance.
