A Federal High Court in Maitama Abuja has warned that it will issue a bench warrant against a lawyer, Barrister Ferdinand Baba Isa, if he fails to appear in court for a fraud case.
Barrister Baba Isa is the second defendant in a case involving a sum of N550 million filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Barrister Baba Isa was supposed to be in court on May 10, 2024, for his arraignment but did not show up, prompting the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, to express his displeasure at the defendant’s absence.
The judge emphasized that such behaviour showed a lack of respect for the law and warned that sanctions would be imposed if this happened again.
The case involves the alleged illegal lifting of restrictions on an account being investigated by ICPC.
The Commission discovered that a sum of N550 million, which had been under a ‘Post No Debit’ order, was transferred to an account named ‘FBI legal’ owned by Mr Ferdinand Baba Isa.
The lawyer claimed that an out-of-court settlement with the bank in question had legalized and facilitated the transaction.
During the court session, Barrister N. I Usman, representing the absent second defendant, failed to provide a valid reason for his client’s non-appearance.
Consequently, the counsel to the ICPC, Barrister Kemi Odogun, requested an adjournment due to the defendant’s absence.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Omotosho threatened to issue a bench warrant against the defendant, regardless of his professional status and standing in society.
The case was adjourned until June 11, 2024, when all parties are expected to appear.
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