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By Lukman Olabiyi
The Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, has declared a former chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Ralph Obioha, and one Ifeanyi Okereke wanted for alleged willful damage and stealing.
Justice Modupe Nicole-Clay issued the bench warrant on the defendants following their absence in court for arraignment.
The judge adjourned the case till May 18 for arraignment.
The defence counsel, Mr Temitope Ogunleye, had apologised to the court for the absence of Obioha and Okereke. He explained that he had tried to reach Okereke, but to no avail, while Obioha was medically unfit and on admission at Saint Francis Hospital in Ikoyi.
“He was ill about a month ago, but had to travel down to Lagos a few days ago, contrary to medical advice, to enable him to appear in court today. Unfortunately, he was rushed to the hospital yesterday. The matter is currently going on at the Magistrate’s Court in Yaba and the defendant has not been absent,” Ogunleye said.
The state prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, however, told the court that the assertion made by the defence was inaccurate and misconceived.
He told the court that the matter at the Magistrate’s Court had been struck out upon the commencement of the proceedings.
“My lord, the defendants are aware of their arraignment in court today, but they chose not to make themselves available. The assertion of my learned colleague that one of the defendants is sick is against what the bailiff who went to their house was told. Our application is that a warrant should be issued,” Martins said.
The defendants were charged alongside Olotu Monday, John Sunday and Dairo Olawale before a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court in 2021, and were granted bail.
However, in the new amendment charge, marked LD/20256C/22, Obioha and Okereke were the only defendants charged for the offences.
The two defendants are to face an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, wilful damage and stealing. The prosecution accused the defendants of damaging seven vehicles belonging to a former Managing Director of First African Trust Bank, Yomi Tokosi.
The charge noted that the duo were alleged to have entered the residence of Tokosi and wilfully damaged seven vehicles, windows and doors. The alleged offences took place on November 29, 2020, about 8pm, at 24B, Osborne Estate, Ikoyi Lagos. The defendants were also accused of stealing one Techno phone, wrist watch, a touch light and eye glasses, property of one Olaiya Afeez.
According to the charge, the offences committed contravened Sections 411,350 and 289 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
