Court Orders Arrest of Abuja Realtor for Skipping Land Fraud Trial Hearing

A Nigerian court has ordered the arrest of an Abuja-based realtor, Rebecca Godwin-Isaac, for her repeated failure to appear in court for her land fraud trial. The Federal High Court in Abuja mandated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to apprehend her and present her in court on Thursday.

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He told the court that EFCC operatives had laid siege to his client’s Guzape residence for 23 days, effectively preventing her from leaving the property.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the arrest warrant after Mrs. Godwin-Isaac's absence from the proceedings. The prosecution, represented by Benedict Ubi, informed the court that the defendant was under "self-imposed house arrest" following an interim forfeiture order on a disputed property. Ubi accused her of obstructing EFCC officials and violating her bail conditions by traveling outside the court's jurisdiction.

However, Mrs. Godwin-Isaac's lawyer, Christopher Oshomeghie, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, presented a different narrative. He claimed EFCC operatives had surrounded his client's residence for 23 days, preventing her from leaving due to fears for her safety and health concerns exacerbated by the prolonged situation. The prosecution contested this, asserting that Mrs. Godwin-Isaac had locked herself inside while EFCC officials were merely performing their duties.

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Mrs Abdulmalik ordered the EFCC to take Mrs Godwin-Isaac into custody and produce her before the court on Thursday.

Justice Abdulmalik ultimately ordered the arrest, noting that the defense lawyer confirmed his client possessed the keys to the apartment. Sources familiar with the development reported that Mrs. Godwin-Isaac was taken into custody after voluntarily exiting her building. The court also addressed a related civil suit concerning the disputed property, with proceedings adjourned to October 15.

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When I make an order, I go to sleep.