Court Orders Arrest Of Lawyer, Police Officer Over Delay In ₦300m Eviction Suit

ABUJA, NIGERIA — An Abuja High Court sitting in Maitama has ordered the immediate arrest of a legal practitioner, Victor Giwa, and a police officer, Inspector Edith Erhunmuuse, following their repeated failure to appear for trial.

The duo is facing charges related to an alleged ₦300 million illegal eviction suit. Justice Samira Bature issued the bench warrant on Friday, expressing dissatisfaction with what she described as deliberate delay tactics and a blatant disregard for judicial authority.

The prosecution, led by Aderonke Imana on behalf of the Federal Government, informed the court that the case has been stalled since January 2023. Imana noted that the defendants’ persistent absence has made it impossible to proceed with their formal arraignment.

“This case has followed a consistent pattern of delay, particularly by the second defendant,” Imana told the court. She further revealed that the lawyer had previously accused the Attorney-General’s office of stalling the trial, despite his own frequent absences.

In a bid to stall the warrant, counsel to the second defendant, Ogbu Aboje, argued that his client was indisposed. He presented a medical report to the court and urged the judge to consider pending applications filed as recently as February 2026.

However, Justice Bature dismissed these arguments, stating that the court’s jurisdiction in criminal matters is only activated once the defendants are properly arraigned. She emphasized that all other applications remain premature until the accused persons take their plea.

“Courts are not for play; they are for serious business,” Justice Bature remarked. She noted that while the court had previously shown restraint due to Giwa’s status as a lawyer, his continued absence left the bench with no alternative but to compel his appearance.

Legal observers told NaijaChoice News that the issuance of a bench warrant against a member of the bar underscores the judiciary’s growing impatience with “frivolous” delays in the FCT’s criminal justice system.

Under Sections 113 and 114 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the court maintains the power to compel the attendance of any defendant who fails to honor a summons.

The matter has been adjourned to April 29, 2026. The police are expected to produce both Giwa and Inspector Erhunmuuse in court on that date to finally face the charges leveled against them.

The ruling signals a firm stance by the FCT High Court against the use of medical excuses to frustrate the timely delivery of justice in high-stakes financial litigation.