Justice Samira Bature of the FCT High Court, Maitama, has warned property developer Cecil Osakwe and two others against evading arraignment over alleged unlawful eviction and property damage.
Osakwe, along with Victor Giwa and Edith Erhunmuuse, is accused of illegal eviction and damaging property valued at N300 million.
The case, which has faced five adjournments without arraignment, remains pending before the court.
Justice Bature gave the warning after Giwa sent a letter praying for an adjournment.
” This is the last time, No further excuses or applications for adjournment from the defendants would be entertained,” she said.
Justice Bature then adjourned until Nov. 4 for arraignment.
At the resumed sitting on Thursday ,only Osakwe, was present in court.
Earlier, the prosecution counsel, M.B Abubakar, decried the actions of the accused persons, describing it as “a persistent disregard for the court.”
Abubakar told the court that the repeated absence of the accused persons was undermining the integrity of the proceedings.
“This is the fifth adjournment. They are showing disrespect and must not be allowed to ridicule the court. We are applying for a bench warrant to compel their appearance,” he said.
However, counsel to the second Giwa, Ogbu Aboje, opposed the application.
He explained that his client lost two siblings recently, which necessitated his traveling, and he backed the claim with a flight ticket.
He added further that Giwa’s lead counsel, Awa Kalu (SAN), had applied for an adjournment due to his involvement in a call-to-bar ceremony.
Osakwe in his part told the court that he has been in the court more than once.
Abubakar disputed this claim, stating that Osakwe was not in court on the last adjourned date, March 17, “he wouldn’t have been in court and at the same time submitted a medical report.”
Osakwe’ s lawyer , Chibunna Odiniru
announced withdrawal of his legal representation.
When the court demanded to hear from Osakwe, on his claim, he acknowledged facing three different charge and expressed frustration during the proceedings, prompting a caution from the judge.
Justice Bature asked Osakwe directly whether he had secured new legal representation.
Osakwe’s counsel Ogbu Aboje told the court that Awa Kalu SAN will represent the first and second accused.
Noting the prolonged delays, the judge directed the court registrar to write to the Legal Aid Council to provide legal representation for the third defendant.
The judge emphasised that no further excuses or applications for adjournment would be entertained.
