Court issues warrant of arrest against firm’s ex-employee

Justice Ismail Ijelu of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja has issued a bench warrant against the former employee of Punch Nigeria Limited, Olusegun Ogunbanjo and others charged with N950 million fraud.

The judge made the order following an application made by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr Babajide Martins, praying the court to issue a bench warrant against the defendants following their non-appearance in court.

Aside Ogunbanjo, other defendants in the suit marked ID/21559C/2023 are Olawunmi Ogunbanjo, Vaneloo International Limited, Valeco Global Ventures, Bagco Garba, Taofeek Ogunbanjo, Ifeanyi Odogwu, Bound Media Limited and Godwin Benson.

All the defendants were also affected by the warrant of arrest order. During the proceeding, Ms O. Ugochukwu, who represented the first defendant counsel, Mr Charles Jiakponna, did not oppose the request by the DPP, but prayed for a short adjournment for his senior colleague to be in court.

The judge ruled that the first defendant had been served and there is proof of service dated December 12, 2023, adding that Mr Jiakponna had been appearing as his counsel in the case.

The court held that Mr Jiakponna had made a passionate plea to the court in the previous proceedings to avail all the defendants in court at the next adjournment date, but failed to do so.

Justice Ijelu said: “A general rule in criminal proceedings is that when a defendant is aware of criminal charges against him but wilfully stayed away without a valid reason, his attendance could be secured by a bench warrant.

“The law empowers the court where it is sacrosanct that the defendant is absent without a valid reason to issue a bench warrant against him to ensure his presence in court.” Justice Ijelu subsequently adjourned the case to April 30, 2024 for arraignment.

The state government had on March 10, 2023, arraigned Ogunbanjo before a Magistrates Court in Sabo-Yaba over alleged N950 million fraud. The Chief Magistrate Adeola Olatubosun had granted him bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum, following his not guilty plea to the three-count charge of obtaining by false pretences, forgery and stealing.

Ogunbanjo was alleged to have obtained N450 million from one Mr Olusola lkuyajesin and N500 million from one Mr Durodola Balogun under false pretences of using the money to buy stationeries.

He was also alleged of forging the organisation’s local purchase orders, to carry out the acts. The prosecution said his offence was contrary to the provision of Sections 287, 314 and 365 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.