Court orders police officer’s arrest over continued absence during proceedings

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on Thursday, ordered immediate arrest of a police officer, Edith Erhunwuse, over her continued absence from court proceedings. The court directed all law enforcement agencies including the Nigeria Police Force to arrest the officer and produce her in court in an alleged N300 million criminal […]

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on Thursday, ordered immediate arrest of a police officer, Edith Erhunwuse, over her continued absence from court proceedings.

The court directed all law enforcement agencies including the Nigeria Police Force to arrest the officer and produce her in court in an alleged N300 million criminal eviction and property damage suit.

Justice Samira Bature of the FCT High Court, who issued a fresh bench warrant against the cop, explained that directing all security agencies to arrest became imperative after the defendant had failed to appear despite reported directives from the Inspector-General of Police.

Daily Trust reports that Erhunwunse is standing trial alongside property developer Cecil Osakwe and Abuja-based lawyer Victor Giwa on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful eviction and malicious damage.

The Federal Government alleged that the defendants unlawfully evicted one Asabe Waziri from her residence on Mekong Street, Maitama, Abuja, in 2022 and carted away valuables worth N300m.

According to the charge sheet sighted by our Correspondent, the defendants allegedly conspired to gain unlawful entry into the property without the complainant’s consent and with the assistance of police officers said to be at large.

The prosecution, Aderonke Imana, in the suit with number: FCT/HC/CR/222/2023 further alleged that cash, the complainant’s international passport and other valuables were removed from the residence and taken to an unknown destination.

The defendants were also accused of breaking into the property without a valid court order, damaging doors and other items, and removing belongings valued at N300m.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, the prosecution counsel, Imana, informed the court that a previous bench warrant had been issued against the 3rd defendant and letters were sent to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, but the defendant failed to appear despite reported directives from the IGP.

Citing Section 353 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, Imana urged the court to issue another warrant, arguing that the defendant had ignored court processes for over a year while other defendants had continued to attend proceedings.

She submitted that where a defendant is properly served and fails to appear without reasonable excuse, the court is empowered to order arrest.

Ruling on the application, Justice Bature expressed concern that despite the passage of two months since the earlier order, there had been no progress, noting that the approaching court vacation could further delay the matter.

The judge consequently granted the application and ordered all security agencies to arrest the third defendant wherever she may be found.

“The court hereby issues a bench warrant to all law enforcement agencies for the arrest of the third defendant, wherever she may be found, for showing disobedience and disrespect to this court,” Justice Bature held.

The order was made pursuant to Section 352 of the ACJA 2015.

Meanwhile, the court encouraged parties to continue exploring an out-of-court settlement, directing them to report back on the outcome at the next adjourned date.

The court adjourned the matter to September 29, 2026, for continuation of trial, warning that there would be no further excuses for non-appearance.

A.S. Usman represented the first defendant, while A.K. Musa appeared as watching brief counsel for the nominal complainant.

The second defendant, Abuja lawyer Victor Giwa, represented himself.