FCT: Court issues bench warrant for arrest of Joseph Eriki, 11 others over alleged land grabbing ​

Justice Suleiman Belgore of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued bench warrants against 12 suspects accused by the federal government of criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, forgery, and using as genuine a forged document.

The judge ordered on Tuesday that the suspects be arrested by security agencies anywhere in the country and brought before the court to face trial on land grabbing charges.

The suspects, including one Joseph Eriki, are scheduled for arraignment on a 9-count charge of alleged land grabbing but refused to appear in court.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, the federal government’s lawyer, led by Mr. David Kaswe, informed the court that the defendants were on administrative bail and had been duly informed of the charges against them.

He lamented, however, that all efforts to bring them to court had been unsuccessful, as none of the defendants could be located at the addresses they provided.

Citing Section 124 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the federal government lawyer applied for the court to issue bench warrants against the defendants as a last resort to compel their attendance.

The defendants face 9 counts including criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, forgery, using as genuine a forged document, criminal force to deter a public servant from duty, wrongful restraint, and causing hurt.

Meanwhile, Justice Belgore has fixed June 4 for the prosecution to produce the defendants in court for their arraignment.