The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Wednesday urged the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of former Anambra South Senator, Andy Uba, following his absence in court for arraignment in an alleged ₦400 million appointment fraud case.
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Justice Mohammed Umar, who presided over the proceedings, had earlier fixed September 24 for the arraignment of Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu. However, when the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024 was called, Uba was absent. His lawyer, C.L. Odiniru, apologised to the court, explaining that the former lawmaker was ill and currently receiving medical treatment in the United States.
Prosecuting counsel, Aminu Abdullahi, opposed the excuse, noting that this was not the first time the defence had cited illness without providing credible medical evidence. He urged the court to issue a bench warrant to compel Uba’s attendance.
In response, Odiniru argued that the defence had since obtained documents confirming that Uba is undergoing treatment abroad, insisting that his health condition prevents him from standing trial at the moment.
Justice Umar, visibly displeased with Uba’s repeated absence, warned that the court would not hesitate to order his arrest if he fails to appear at the next sitting. “I will give you another opportunity by giving you another date. This case must be heard this year. Even if it means issuing a bench warrant of arrest, the court will do that,” the judge ruled before adjourning the matter to October 28, 2025, for arraignment.
The prosecution had earlier amended the two-count charge originally filed on October 10, 2024, against Uba, Etu, and Crystal Uba. In the amended charge filed March 4, 2025, only Uba and Etu were listed as defendants, while Crystal’s name was dropped.
According to the charge, Uba, Etu, and one Fatima (now at large) were alleged to have conspired in 2022 to defraud businessman George Uboh by falsely claiming they could secure the appointment of a Managing Director for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for a fee of ₦400 million.
The offences, the police said, violate Sections 1(2), 1(3), and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. Six prosecution witnesses have already been lined up to testify against Uba and Etu.
The case was re-assigned to Justice Umar after the suspension of former trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
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