Court orders arrest of Police officer in N300m eviction case

A Nigerian judge has ordered the arrest of a police officer for her persistent absence from court proceedings in a case involving alleged criminal eviction and property damage valued at N300 million. Justice Samira Bature of the Federal Capital Territory High Court issued a fresh bench warrant, directing all law enforcement agencies to apprehend Edith Erhunwunse.

Erhunwunse is on trial alongside property developer Cecil Osakwe and lawyer Victor Giwa. They face a nine-count charge including conspiracy, unlawful eviction, and malicious damage. The prosecution alleges that in 2022, the defendants, with the help of police officers now at large, unlawfully entered a property on Mekong Street, Maitama, Abuja. They are accused of evicting the complainant, Asabe Waziri, and stealing cash, her international passport, and other valuables worth N300 million.

The court's decision comes after the prosecution noted that an earlier bench warrant had been ignored. Despite directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Erhunwunse has allegedly failed to appear in court for over a year. The prosecution cited her continued absence as a sign of disobedience to court processes.

Justice Bature voiced concern that two months after the initial order, the officer's whereabouts remained unknown. The judge also noted that the approaching court vacation could further delay the proceedings. Consequently, the court granted the application for a new warrant, emphasizing the need to address the defendant's "disobedience and disrespect to this court." The case was adjourned to September 29, 2026, for trial continuation, with a stern warning against future non-appearances.

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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.