Justice Suleiman Belgore of an Abuja High Court on Tuesday issued a bench warrant against the Director of Investigation and Prosecution of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Joseph Eriki, and 10 others.

The order was given to compel their appearance before the court for arraignment in a charge filed against them by the federal government.

Mr Belgore issued the warrant following the application made by the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe.

Mr Kaswe had told the court that efforts to ensure that the suspects were present in court for their arraignment in the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/87/2025 failed.

“We have not been able to produce the suspects  in court. We made calls and informed their lawyers and those who stood as sureties for them at the police station during the investigation. In the circumstance, in the spirit of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) that contemplated speedy and day-to-day trials, we are applying under Section 124 of ACJA that the court issue a bench warrant against them as a last resort to compel their attendance in court,” Mr Kaswe said.

In his  ruling, Mr Belgore said, “Having been granted bail by the police during investigations of the case, a bench warrant is hereby issued against all of them to compel their appearance in this court for purposes of arraignment on a six-count charge dated February 31 and filed the same day in this court.”

He subsequently adjourned the case until June 4 for arraignment.

The federal government had filed a six-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, forgery, using as genuine a forged document, and criminal force to deter a public servant from his duty against Mr Eriki and 10 others.

Others charged alongside the FCTA director are Boniface Agwu; Ikechukwu Kanu; Donatec Electrical Company Limited; Super Structure Limited; Weatherfield Engineering; and Marine Service Limited.

Others are Asher Information Services Limited; Isaac Omoluwa; Nwaimoneye  Onyisi, Sarajo Aliyu, and Ogbole Michael.

They were alleged to have unlawfully entered Plot 461 – 470 and 486 – 496 belonging to Etha Ventures and put up structures with the intention of defrauding Etha Ventures.

According to the prosecution, to actualise their intent, they fraudulently secured a consent judgment in suit number FCT/HC/CV/240/2018 given title of Plot 1406 (461-470 and 486-496) Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja to Super Structures Limited.

(NAN)