Judiciary
AN FCT High Court, Kubwa, on Monday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Mr Solomon Sunday, who stood as surety for Victor Alex involved in a case of alleged abduction with four others.
The police charged the defendants with four counts bordering on armed robbery and abduction.
Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya gave the order after the court was informed by the prosecution counsel, Mr Daniel Enwelum (SAN), that Sunday’s promise to produce the defendant was to no avail.
The prosecution added that the surety could not be reached through the phone.
“I apply Section 394 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) for a bench warrant on him and Section 179 of the same act to the effect that they have failed to fulfill his conditions for bail.
“Based on the information given by the court’s bailiff, some of the other sureties were not seen, and not known, when he went to effect service on them at their various ministries,” Enwelum said.
He, however, applied that the summons be pasted at the ministries where the other sureties work.
He also applied Section 352 of ACJA for trial to commence in the absence of the defendants if they failed to appear on the adjourned date.
The prosecution counsel had earlier said all the defendants were not in court on March 4, adding that Sunday was the only surety in court while Legal Aid Councils appeared for two defendants.
He said the court had ordered a bench warrant against the defendants and their sureties except Sunday on the said date.
Ogbonnaya, therefore, issued a bench warrant for Sunday to show cause why he had not produced the defendant and adjourned the matter until Sept. 29, for hearing.
The prosecution counsel had told the court that the defendants armed with guns and knives robbed one Theophilus Kelechi and three others of five cell phones, one digital camera and N50, 000 cash.
He alleged that the incident took place at Nandu Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja on Oct.15, 2009.
He said the defendants also abducted Chief Benard Nwora from his office at Suite 52 of the said plaza and took him to Ado village, Nasarawa state and demanded N50 million ransom from his wife, Bethel.
The offence he said, contravened the provisions of Section 2(3) of the Robbery & Firearms Special Provision Act Cap 398 LFN 1990 and Section 273 of the Penal Code.(NAN)
– July 5, 2021 @ 14:07 GMT |
Tags: Alleged abduction: Court issues bench warrant for surety’s arrest
