Court orders arrest of Nigerian police officer in N300m eviction case

Justice Samira Bature of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has issued a new bench warrant for the arrest of police officer Edith Erhunwunse. The warrant directs all law enforcement agencies to apprehend Erhunwunse due to her persistent absence from court proceedings related to an alleged N300 million criminal eviction and property damage case.

The case, filed under suit number FCT/HC/CR/222/2023, involves Erhunwunse, property developer Cecil Osakwe, and Abuja-based lawyer Victor Giwa. They face a nine-count charge including conspiracy, unlawful eviction, and malicious damage. The Federal Government alleges that in 2022, the defendants conspired to unlawfully enter a residence on Mekong Street, Maitama, Abuja, evicting its occupant, Asabe Waziri, and taking valuables estimated at N300 million.

During the resumed hearing, the prosecution informed the court that a previous bench warrant had been issued for Erhunwunse, and letters sent to the FCT Police Commissioner had yielded no results. Despite directives from the Inspector-General of Police, the defendant allegedly failed to appear. The prosecution argued that the defendant had ignored court processes for over a year, while the other defendants continued to attend hearings.

Justice Bature expressed significant concern that two months after the initial order, there had been no progress in bringing the defendant to court. Noting that the approaching court vacation could further delay the matter, the judge granted the prosecution's application. The court issued the bench warrant, ordering all security agencies to arrest the third defendant wherever she might be found, citing her disobedience and disrespect to the court.

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The court hereby issues a bench warrant to all law enforcement agencies for the arrest of the third defendant, wherever she may be found, for showing disobedience and disrespect to this court.