The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant against two lawyers, Victor Giwa and Ibitade Bukola Olugbenga, following their continued failure to appear for arraignment in a forgery and impersonation case.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie made the ruling on Monday after the prosecution raised concerns that the duo had consistently evaded proceedings, thereby stalling the course of justice.
The two defendants are facing a three-count charge filed by the Inspector General of Police, accusing them of conspiring to forge and impersonate in a case marked CR/150/25.
According to the prosecution, Giwa and Olugbenga allegedly forged a legal document purportedly issued from the chambers of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa U. Kalu.
The letter was said to have been addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) in June 2024, requesting a suspension of Giwa’s arraignment in a separate case.
The document, titled “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa”, bore the letterhead of Kalu’s chambers and argued for charges against Giwa to be withdrawn in the interest of fairness.
Prosecutors allege the letter was fraudulent, designed to mislead the AGF into intervening in legal proceedings before Justice Samira Bature of the FCT High Court, Maitama.
In addition to conspiracy, the defendants face charges of dishonest execution of a fraudulent document and false personation of a legal practitioner, offences punishable under the Penal Code Act.
At Monday’s sitting, Prosecution Counsel Eristo Asaph reminded the court that the defendants had previously failed to attend hearings.
He noted that at an earlier sitting in May, Giwa’s counsel sought an adjournment on compassionate grounds due to family bereavements. However, despite the court’s indulgence, the defendants once again failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment.
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Defence counsel Ogbu Aboje told the court that Giwa had submitted a letter and medical report citing urgent health concerns, including a degenerative lumbar spine condition and hypertension. He also explained that Olugbenga had been absent due to a medical appointment for her daughter’s immunisation.
The prosecution, however, dismissed these explanations. Asaph argued that Giwa’s medical report did not prove incapacity to attend court and noted that Olugbenga failed to present any supporting documentation. He urged the court to reject their excuses and issue a bench warrant to compel their attendance.
Justice Onwuegbuzie agreed with the prosecution’s position, ruling that the excuses presented were inadequate.
While acknowledging Giwa’s medical report, the judge observed that it did not explicitly state that he could not be present in court. The absence of documentation from Olugbenga was also deemed unacceptable.
Consequently, the court issued a bench warrant against both defendants, directing law enforcement to ensure their presence at the next sitting scheduled for October 8, 2025.
The ruling underscores the judiciary’s growing impatience with defendants who use procedural delays to frustrate criminal trials. For Giwa, already facing other allegations in Abuja courts, the warrant adds a fresh layer of legal troubles.
NewsExpress
