The arraignment of the Senator representing Bayelsa Central, Benson Konbowei, was postponed on Monday because of his absence in court docket.
The Inspector Normal of Police had filed forgery expenses towards the senator.
Within the case titled CR/028/2023, the IG most well-liked three expenses towards the senator bordering on, amongst others, the forgery of the Nationwide Youth Service Corps exemption certificates.
He was accused of fraudulently forging a doc entitled 'Certificates of Exemption' numbered 000256454 and dated July 4, 2008.
Police mentioned the senator contravened the provisions of sections 366.156 and 158 of the Prison Code CAP 532 Legal guidelines of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and was punishable beneath part 364 of the identical regulation.
In the course of the proceedings on the Excessive Court docket of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo, the defendant's counsel, Gordy Uche (SAN), advised the court docket that his shopper was “medically unwell” and filed a medical report back to substantiate his declare construct.
He mentioned: 'Your Honor, the defendant is medically ailing and can’t seem in court docket. He's on an IV. I pray to the court docket for a keep. I promise I’ll present it for the subsequent process.”
Nonetheless, counsel to the Legal professional Normal of the Federation, Egwuaba Reuben, mentioned the suspect was evading trial.
He requested the court docket to problem a bench warrant towards the senator.
Egwuaba mentioned: “We’re towards the medical report. He was on the police headquarters and wrote a petition towards me on Friday stating that he wished the police to pursue the case. He mentioned he didn't need me. In view of this, I search an order of this court docket in accordance with Article 352 ACJA to problem a warrant of arrest towards the suspect. His absence is a calculated try and undermine the court docket.”
The choose, Justice Christopher Oba, overruled him and accepted the medical report offered.
“The issue is that the choose is anticipated to really act. In case you have a opposite opinion, you will need to state it beneath oath or deliver another doc to show that the medical report is just not true,” he mentioned.
The choose, discovering that the doc didn’t comprise a hospital title, ordered that the title of the hospital be included.
He adjourned the case till March 26 and 28 for arraignment and the beginning of the trial.
“When you don't current your witnesses, I’ll throw out your case,” he insisted.
Earlier, there was drama within the courtroom when Egwuaba and Eyinsan Lawrence launched themselves as counsel for the prosecution.
Egwuaba advised the court docket that the AGF and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) had taken over the case and he had the chance to characterize him.
However Lawrence mentioned Egwuaba knowledgeable him a couple of minutes in the past.
He mentioned: 'I’ve simply been knowledgeable. Egwuba served me this morning. Our place is that the IG must be served and we shall be communicated with in order that he can take over. Because it stands, we’ll want time to analyze the very fact and his declare that the AGF has taken over the case.”
The choose dismissed Lawrence within the matter, including that the AGF is the Chief Regulation Officer of the nation.
He mentioned: “I’ll acknowledge him as a result of he’s from the AGF and has submitted a doc to that impact. The AGF is the nation's Chief Regulation Officer. Go examine whether or not there’s a cause for not recognizing him and are available again to me. It’s the regulation that I need to act on this. I gained't acknowledge your look.'
