N400M Fraud accusation: The Court threatens Andy Uba with an arrest warrant

Judge Mohammed Umar from the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, threatened to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the Chief of the Congress all Progressive (APC), Senator Andy Uba, for his absence in court.

Police Inspector General, Kayode Egbetokun, charged Uba and one Benjamin Etu for alleged N400 million fraud.

The judge gave a warning after Uba’s lawyer, CF Odiniru, requested more time to allow his clients to be present in court.

Development Following the application made by IGP advisers, Aminu Abdullahi, for a bench warrant issued against Uba in line with section 394 of the Administration of the Criminal Court Law (ACJA), 2015, following its continuous absence in the court.

When the problem was called on Wednesday, Etu stepped into the dock, but Uba was not there.

Odiniru then apologized for Uba’s inability to be in court.

“We apologize for the absence of the first defendant (Uba), which cannot be avoided because of illness,” said the lawyer.

Also Read: With the ‘Proof’ video of Andy Uba denies N50M’s debt to Arthur Eze, saying it is a donation

Abdullahi, who said the consistent absence of Uba was unbearable, said the same reason was added by legal advisors because of the absence of his client in court when the problem arose in July.

“We are reluctant to accept, and this problem is postponed.

“And today, the same reason has advanced.

“My master, we cannot fold our hands and continue here.

“We will apply for a bench based on section 394 from ACJA, 2015 to the first defendant,” he said.

Abdullahi said that Uba’s consistent absence had shown disrespect to the court, who was the same -the same as stopping his trial.

He said that since the accusation was submitted in 2024, Uba had never appeared in court.

Odiniru, however, opposed the Abdullahi application for a bench warrant.

“We oppose this application because it consistently before the court, we have told the court that the first defendant was sick and left the country,” he said.

He said Uba was currently receiving treatment at the United States hospital.