The Ikeja High Court on Tuesday issued a bench warrant against a former National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Ralph Obioha and one Ifeanyi Okereke, for alleged wilful damage and stealing.

Justice Modupe Nicole-Clay issued the bench warrant on the defendants following their absence in court for arraignment.

The judge adjourned the case until May 18 for arraignment.

The defence counsel, Temitope Ogunleye, had apologised to the court for the absence of Messrs Obioha and Okereke.

“We have tried to reach Okereke but to no avail. However, the Obioha is medically unfit, and he is on admission at Saint Francis Hospital in Ikoyi.

“He has been ill since about a month ago, but he had to travel down to Lagos a few days ago contrary to medical advice that he had to be present in court today.

“Unfortunately, he was rushed to the hospital yesterday.

“The matter is currently going on at the magistrates’ court in Yaba, and the defendant had not been absent,” Ms Ogunleye said.

The state prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecution, Babajide Martins, told the court that the assertion made by the defence was inaccurate and misconceived.

“The assertion of my learned colleague that one of the defendants is sick is against what the bailiff who went to their house was told.

“Our application is that warrant should be issued,” Mr Martins said.

The defendants were charged alongside Olotu Monday, John Sunday and Dairo Olawale before the Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in 2021 and were granted bail.

However, in the new amendment charge, marked LD/20256C/22, Messrs Obioha and Okereke were the only defendants charged for the offences.

The two defendants will face an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, willful damage and stealing.

The prosecution alleged the defendants of damaging seven vehicles belonging to the former managing director of First African Trust Bank, Yomi Tokosi.

According to the charge, the duo allegedly entered the residence of Mr Tokosi and willfully damaged seven vehicles, windows and doors.

The alleged offences occurred on November 29, 2020, at about 8:00 p.m. at 24B, Osborne Estate, Ikoyi Lagos.

The defendants were also accused of stealing one Techno phone, wristwatch, torchlight and eyeglasses, property of one Olaiya Afeez.

According to the charge, the offences committed contravened sections 411,350 and 289 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.

(NAN)