Independent Corrupt Practices and
Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) reported that it had issued a bench
warrant for the arrest of two citizens of the Democratic Socialist Republic of
Sri Lanka for failing to appear before the court to make a plea in criminal
proceedings.
Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) reported that it had issued a bench
warrant for the arrest of two citizens of the Democratic Socialist Republic of
Sri Lanka for failing to appear before the court to make a plea in criminal
proceedings.
ICPC Spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa
who disclosed this in a statement yesterday in Abuja said the warrant was
issued by Hon. Justice O. O. Goodluck of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
High Court 4, sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
who disclosed this in a statement yesterday in Abuja said the warrant was
issued by Hon. Justice O. O. Goodluck of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
High Court 4, sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
According to Okoduwa, the two Sri
Lankans, Messrs Saththiyaraj Kantharasa and Vinith Ukantharasa, and Nigerian
national Anthony Adetokunboh, who are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd accused, were
scheduled to appear before the court on charges related to forgery of travel
documents and criminal conspiracy.
Lankans, Messrs Saththiyaraj Kantharasa and Vinith Ukantharasa, and Nigerian
national Anthony Adetokunboh, who are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd accused, were
scheduled to appear before the court on charges related to forgery of travel
documents and criminal conspiracy.
The Spokesperson added that Kantharasa
and Ukantharasa were accused of forging the passports, national identity card
and driving license of the Republic of Malaysia.
and Ukantharasa were accused of forging the passports, national identity card
and driving license of the Republic of Malaysia.
She continued: “However, when the case
was mentioned for arraignment, only the 3rd defendant announced his appearance
in court, while the 1st and 2nd defendants were conspicuously absent”
was mentioned for arraignment, only the 3rd defendant announced his appearance
in court, while the 1st and 2nd defendants were conspicuously absent”
“Their lawyer, Nonso Nzedebe, informed
the court that his clients were fully aware of the rescheduled date for their
arraignment which is today Wednesday, May 13th 2020, saying that he was not
informed of any reason for their absence in court”
the court that his clients were fully aware of the rescheduled date for their
arraignment which is today Wednesday, May 13th 2020, saying that he was not
informed of any reason for their absence in court”
“The prosecution counsel, Eniekan
Ekong, had earlier prayed the court to grant the Commission a bench warrant for
their arrest to compel them to attend their trial.”
Ekong, had earlier prayed the court to grant the Commission a bench warrant for
their arrest to compel them to attend their trial.”
In granting the warrant, Okoduwa noted
that the trial judge expressed disappointment in the two foreign nationals that
despite their knowledge of the rescheduled date for their arraignment, they
chose to abscond without any reason.
that the trial judge expressed disappointment in the two foreign nationals that
despite their knowledge of the rescheduled date for their arraignment, they
chose to abscond without any reason.
He said that Justice Goodluck also
ruled that a bench warrant be issued against their surety, Mr. Olanrewaju
Olayiwola Olusola, a Deputy Director with the Federal Ministry of Finance, as
to why he should not be remanded in prison custody pending the time the
suspects are found. The trial was adjourned until 27 May 2020.
ruled that a bench warrant be issued against their surety, Mr. Olanrewaju
Olayiwola Olusola, a Deputy Director with the Federal Ministry of Finance, as
to why he should not be remanded in prison custody pending the time the
suspects are found. The trial was adjourned until 27 May 2020.
