FEATURED
Alleged N4.8bn Fraud: Court Issues Bench Warrant Of Arrest Against Billionaire Businessman Cletus Ibeto
The Lagos High Court sitting in the Ikeja area on Friday ordered the arrest of the Chairman/CEO of Ibeto Energy Development Company, Cletus Ibeto, for allegedly refusing to appear in court to stand trial on allegations bordering on a 4.8bn fraud.
Justice Ismail Ijelu issued the bench warrant for his arrest after a motion moved by the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, who informed the judge that the defendant had flagrantly failed and refused to appear in court despite repeated hearing notices served on him.
The EFCC had charged the defendant alongside his companies, Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings Ltd over an alleged N4.8 billion fraud.
The anti-graft agency filed a 10-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, forgery and fraudulent use of documents.
The defendant’s arraignment was stalled on September 28 and October 5 due to his failure to appear in court, although he was represented by his lawyers.
On the two occasions, his lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, informed the judge that his client was absent due to ill health. He, however, promised to produce him in court today.
However, when the matter was called today, Ibeto was represented by another counsel, Dada Awosika, SAN, who also told the judge that the defendant was sick and could not attend court.
Following the development, the EFCC Counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, urged the court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the businessman.
Jacobs claimed that the defendant was in Lagos and the Commission could have arrested him, but it did not have the order of the court to do so.
“Senior lawyers cannot come to court and waste the court’s time. We urge the court to grant us a warrant of arrest to force the defendant to court,” Jacob said.
In his ruling, Justice Ijelu held that the defence counsel did not adduce any compelling reason for the court to grant his request for adjournment.
The judge further said that the court did not exist for frivolities as it only existed for dispensing justice.
“The defence counsel decided to waste the court’s time. The court is the symbol of the state and not an object of ridicule.
“Although the senior counsel appeared in this matter for the first time, two senior counsels have previously appeared and promised that the defendant will appear for his arraignment.
“In the absence of any cogent excuse to produce the defendant for arraignment, a bench warrant is hereby issued against the defendant,” the court ruled.
Justice Ijelu has adjourned the matter to November 15 for the arraignment of the defendant.
(Channels TV)
BREAKING: 25years Kano Woman Allegedly Cuts Off Boyfriend’s Manhood After Learning He Wanted to Marry Another Woman
Sowore Drops Bid to Summon DSS Boss as AGF Challenges Subpoena in Defamation Trial
“DSS Mistook a Cat for Me” — Sunday Igboho Recounts Dramatic Escape During 2021 Raid
BREAKING: Appeal Court Voids Order Deregistering ADC, Four Other Political Parties
Atiku Condemns Kaduna Massacre, Says Nigerians Need Security, Not Promises
Oshiomhole Backs ‘Shoot Armed Criminals on Sight’, Says Insecurity Biggest Threat to Tinubu’s Re-election
Why Okowa Says Tinubu Deserves a Second Term to Solidify Nigeria’s Progress
US Warns Nigerians: Visa Expiry Date Does Not Determine How Long You Can Stay
We Have the Right to Deal With Illegal Migration— South Africa Fires Back at Nigeria
Fake Agency Saga: No Evidence Links Gbajabiamila to Alleged Fraud, Analyst Insists
Female Suspect Among Nine Phone Stealing Syndicate Nabbed in Asaba
2027: Obasanjo’s ‘Obi-Kwakwanso Game Plan’ Trigger Controversy as Group Accuses Him of Secretly Backing Tinubu
BREAKING: President Tinubu Declines to Meet South African Envoy Amid Renewed Xenophobia Concerns
Delta Police Arrest Two Suspects, Recover Pistols, Suspected Cocaine, Stolen Benz SUV
