THE Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, threatened to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Sen. Andy Uba if he fails to appear in court on Oct. 28 to stand his trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Uba and his co-accused, Benjamin Etu, are being prosecuted on allegations bordering on fraud to the tune of N400 million.
Justice Mohammed Umar gave the warning after Uba’s lawyer, C.F. Odiniru, pleaded for more time to allow his client present himself in court.
The development followed an application made by the I-G’s counsel, Aminu Abdullahi, that a bench warrant be issued against Uba in line with Section 394 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, following his continuous absence in court.
When the matter was called on Wednesday, Etu stepped into the dock but Uba was conspicuous absence.
Odiniru then apologised over Uba’s inability to be in court.
“We apologise for the absence of the 1st defendant (Uba) who is unavoidably absence due to illness,” the lawyer said.
Abdullahi, who said Uba’s consistent absence was unbearable, said the same excuse was adduced by Odiniru for his absence in court in July when the matter came up.
“We reluctantly accepted and the matter was adjourned.
“And today, the same reason was advanced.
“My lord, we cannot fold our arms and continue this way.
“We will be applying for a bench warrant under Section 394 of ACJA, 2015 against the 1st defendant,” he said.
Abdullahi said Uba”s consistent absence had shown a disrespect to the court which had equally stalled his trial.
He said since the charge was filed in 2024, Uba had never appeared in court.
Odiniru, however, opposed Abdullahi’s application for a bench warrant.
“We are opposing this application because consistently before the court, we have informed the court that the 1st defendant is illed and out of the country,” he said.
He said Uba, currently, was receiving treatment at a United States’ hospital.
