Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the Economic and Finacial Crime Commision ( EFCC ) to produce an Abuja-based estate agent, Mrs Rebecca Omokamo, in court over her failure to appear for trial.

Justice Abdulmalik gave the order after the EFCC’s lawyer, Benedict Ubi, made an application to the effect.

The judge then adjourned the matter until July 23 for continuation of trial.

Omokamo is being prosecuted over alleged land fraud, forgery and money laundering.

Omokamo is facing trial alongside Homadil Realty Limited, Idakwogi Richard John and Rychado Homes Limited.

Earlier, the prosecution lawyer informed the court that the 1st defendant (Omokamo) was in “self-imposed house arrest sequel to the order of the court for an interim forfeiture of a disputed land.”
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‎Ubi said Omokamo had been obstructing officers of the EFCC from carrying out the order of the court.

He accused Omokamo of breaching the terms of the administrative bail by traveling repeatedly out of jurisdiction.
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‎But Omokamo’s counsel, Christopher Oshomeghie, SAN, told the court that the commission’s officers had laid siege at the residence of his client for about 23 days.

He said in view of this, Omokamo had remained indoors for all that period as “she fears for her life.”
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‎The senior lawyer informed the court that it was due to the reason the defendant was not in court.

He also said that the defendant had been indisposed as a result of the development.

Responding, Ubi disagreed with Oshomeghie’s submission.

The prosecutor clarified that Omokamo had the keys to the building and that she willingly locked herself in her apartment and not the EFCC officers on enforcement duty.

‎Justice Abdulmalik consequently ordered the anti-graft agency to produce the 1st defendant in court after her counsel confirmed that she had the keys to the apartment and that her absence could not have been attributed to the EFCC.

Meanwhile, Justice Abdulmalik also heard the civil suit instituted by the EFCC against Omokamo.

The judge adjourned the matter until Oct. 15 for hearing of all pending applications.