“I will give you another opportunity by giving you another date. This case must be heard this year. Even if it means issuing a bench warrant of arrest, the court will do that,” Justice Mohammed Umar said.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of ex-senator Andy Uba over a N400 million job scam.
The request followed Uba’s repeated failure to appear for arraignment alongside co-defendant Benjamin Etu.
“When I got that call… I will give you another opportunity… Even if it means issuing a bench warrant of arrest, the court will do that,” Justice Mohammed Umar said, warning that the trial must proceed this year.
Uba’s counsel, C.L. Odiniru, said the former senator is receiving treatment in the United States, but prosecution counsel Aminu Abdullahi argued that previous claims of illness lacked supporting documents.
The amended two-count charge alleges Uba and Etu conspired to defraud by presenting false promises of NDDC managing director appointments for N400 million. Six witnesses are expected to testify, and the matter is adjourned to October 28, 2025, for plea.