Quick Summary:
FCT High Court orders the arrest of lawyer Victor Giwa and police officer Inspector Edith Erhunmuuse for repeatedly failing to appear in court in a N300 million illegal eviction case.
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the arrest of an Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, and a police officer, Inspector Edith Erhunmuuse, for repeatedly failing to appear in court over an alleged ₦300 million illegal eviction case.
Justice Samira Bature issued the order on Friday, describing the defendants’ continued absence as a deliberate attempt to delay proceedings and disrespect the authority of the court.
Prosecution Accuses Defendants Of Delay
At the resumed hearing, Aderonke Imana, counsel for the Federal Government, informed the court that the case, filed in January 2023, had suffered repeated delays because the defendants had failed to appear for arraignment.
She urged the court to apply relevant laws to compel the defendants to attend proceedings.
Defence Cites Illness, Pending Applications
Counsel to the second defendant, Ogbu Aboje, opposed the prosecution’s request, claiming that his client was ill and had submitted a medical report to the court.
He also referenced pending applications, including one filed on February 2, 2026, and asked the court to disregard the prosecution’s motion.
However, the prosecution maintained that arraignment is a prerequisite for any criminal trial and that the court cannot consider pending applications until the defendants are formally charged.
Judge Condemns Delay Tactics
In her ruling, Justice Bature agreed with the prosecution, noting that the case had been pending for nearly two years without arraignment due to the defendants’ conduct.
The judge observed that the court had previously shown patience, including refusing earlier requests to issue an arrest warrant because the second defendant is a lawyer. However, she said the continued absence left the court with no alternative.
Bench Warrant Issued
Justice Bature ruled that the court cannot proceed with the matter until the defendants are formally arraigned, rendering all pending applications premature.
The court subsequently granted the prosecution’s request and issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Victor Giwa and Inspector Edith Erhunmuuse.
The case was adjourned to April 29, 2026, for arraignment.