David Akachukwu
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A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has issued a bench warrant for the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Mr. Joseph Eriki, a Director with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), along with 11 other individuals.
The court issued the warrant due to the defendants’ failure to appear and respond to charges involving alleged criminal conspiracy, trespassing, document forgery, and the use of falsified documents in connection with land dealings in Abuja.
The federal government, serving as the sole complainant in the case, is pursuing charges against twelve parties, including Boniface Agwu, Ikechukwu Kanu, Joseph Eriki, Super Structure Ltd, Bonatec Electrical Company Ltd, Weatherfield Engineering, Marine Service Limited, Asher Information Services Ltd, Prince Isaac Omoluwa, Nwaimoneye Augustine Onyisi, Suraju Aliyu, and Ogbole Michael.
Justice Suleiman Belgore, who presided over the matter on Tuesday, directed law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend the defendants, wherever they may be within Nigeria, and bring them before the court to stand trial for alleged land-related offenses.
During proceedings, government counsel David Kaswe informed the court that the accused had been granted administrative bail and were aware of the charges filed against them. However, he expressed frustration that repeated attempts to serve them had failed, as the defendants were unreachable at the addresses they had provided.
Invoking Section 124 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, Kaswe requested the court to issue a bench warrant as a necessary step to compel the accused to face trial.
In a supporting affidavit consisting of four paragraphs, counsel for the federal government, David Kaswe, stated that the defendants were taken into custody over serious allegations, including conspiracy, trespassing, document forgery, using forged documents as authentic, obstructing public officials through the use of force, illegal restraint, and inflicting physical harm.
Kaswe noted that the investigation had been completed before the charges were filed, and affirmed that there was sufficient evidence to establish a case against the accused.
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According to the prosecution, the first through ninth defendants allegedly encroached on plots 461–470 and 486–496, which are legally owned by Etha Ventures Ltd., and erected unauthorized structures as part of a fraudulent scheme targeting the company.
It was further alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained a consent judgment in suit number FCT/HC/CV/240/2019, which falsely awarded ownership of the contested plots in Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja, to Super Structures Ltd.
The prosecution also claimed that the 10th to 12th defendants forcibly obstructed law enforcement officials from executing a valid court order dated February 7, 2024, related to the same case. During the altercation, the defendants allegedly pelted the officers with stones in an attempt to prevent them from carrying out their duties.
Kaswe maintained that these actions not only disrupted public peace but also constituted an attack on public officials performing lawful responsibilities.
In the first count, the defendants are accused of conspiring between 2019 and 2024 in Abuja to defraud Etha Ventures Ltd. of its legal ownership of plots 461–470 and 486–496, which is described as a criminal conspiracy in violation of Section 96 of the Penal Code Law 2009, and punishable under Section 97 of the same law.
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Count two reads:
“That you Boniface Agwu, Ikechukwu Kanu, Super Structure Ltd, Bonatec Electrical Company Ltd, Weatherfield Engineering and Marine Service Limited, Asher Information Services Ltd and Prince Isaac Omoluwa, Male, Adult and companies registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, sometime between 2017 to 2019 in plot 461–470 and 486–496 Sabon Lugbe East Layout Abuja State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, unlawfully entered upon plot 461–470 and 486–496 belonging to Etha Ventures and put up structures with intent to defraud Ethan Ventures Ltd thereby obtaining advantages for yourselves. You thereby committed an offence of criminal trespass contrary to Section 342 of the Penal Code Act 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act.”
Justice Suleiman Belgore has scheduled the next court session for June 4, during which the prosecution is expected to present the defendants for arraignment.
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Jonathan Nwokpor
