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An Anambra Magistrate’s Court sitting in Onitsha, the commercial hub of the State, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of defendants who failed to appear for an alleged felony trial.
Southeastposts gathered that the Magistrate, Ukamaka B. Okoye, rejected a doctor’s medical report tendered in the defendants’ favour after hearing submissions from counsel in the case.
The defendants in the case are: Ifeanyichukwu Chiekwu, 45, Ostia Okoro, 42, and Ugochukwu Mbaekwe, 52. They face a two-count charge of unlawful destruction of property and unlawfully and wilfully damaging or pulling down a seven-room duplex under construction, valued at N200 million, belonging to one Okechukwu Elowue.
The police, in suit No. MO/218/2025, are prosecuting the defendants and others now at large for allegedly destroying the property on May 14, 2024, at Trans Nkisi Layout, Phase II, 3-3, Onitsha Magisterial District.
Southeastposts reports that the alleged offence is punishable under Section 495(a) of the Criminal Code Cap 36 Vol. II Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991 (as amended).
Meanwhile, Counsel to the 1st and 3rd defendants contended that at the planned arraignment that they were absent due to illness and presented a doctor’s report to that effect.
He also submitted that the 3rd defendant was not aware of the pending case, as the charge sheet and arraignment notice were not served on him.
At this point, the magistrate interjected saying, “This has been the style of the 1st and 3rd defendants,” reminding the counsel that at the last sitting they promised to bring the 1st defendant to court, only to return with another excuse of ill health and a doctor’s report. “Anyone can get a doctor’s report and present it to court.”
Addressing counsel to the 3rd defendant, she said: “If your client is claiming not to be aware of the case pending against him, he should have come to court today to tell the court that he was not served an arraignment notice. Instead, you are presenting a medical report that he has high blood pressure. He is not coming to court to farm; we have seats where he can sit and address the court on whether he was served or not served with an arraignment notice. The 2nd defendant was also not in court and had no lawyer to represent him.”
In his submission, the prosecuting Police Officer, ASP Hassan Ochoofu, asked the court to issue a bench warrant for the three defendants. He narrated attempts by the defendants to frustrate the case, including intimidating the complainant and refusing to accept arraignment notices.
Meanwhile, after hearing all parties, the court issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendants and adjourned the case till November 4, 2025, for further hearing.
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