[BREAKING] Alleged N4.8bn Fraud: Court Orders Arrest Of Businessman, Cletus Ibeto (DETAILS)

[BREAKING] Alleged N4.8bn Fraud: Court Orders Arrest Of Businessman, Cletus Ibeto (DETAILS)

The Lagos High Court, seated in the Ikeja area, issued an arrest warrant on Friday for the Chairman/CEO of Ibeto Energy Development Company, Cletus Ibeto.

This action was taken after Ibeto allegedly failed to appear in court to face trial on charges related to a 4.8 billion naira fraud.

Justice Ismail Ijelu granted the bench warrant following a motion presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN. Jacobs informed the judge that despite repeated hearing notices served on the defendant, he had consistently failed to appear in court.

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The EFCC had filed a 10-count charge against the defendant and his companies, Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings Ltd, accusing them of a 4.8 billion naira fraud involving conspiracy, forgery, fraud, and fraudulent use of documents.

The defendant’s arraignment had been postponed on September 28 and October 5 due to his absence, though he had been represented by his lawyers.

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On both occasions, his lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, had informed the judge that his client was unable to attend court due to ill health and assured that he would be present in court at the next hearing.

However, when the matter was called on the day in question, Ibeto was represented by a different counsel, Dada Awosika, SAN, who also informed the judge that the defendant was unwell and unable to attend court.

In light of this development, the EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, urged the court to issue a bench warrant for the businessman’s arrest. Jacobs stated that the defendant was in Lagos, and while the Commission could have apprehended him, they did not have the court’s authorization to do so.

“Senior lawyers cannot come to court and waste the court’s time. We urge the court to grant us a warrant of arrest to force the defendant to court,” Jacob said.

“The defence counsel decided to waste the court’s time. The court is the symbol of the state and not an object of ridicule.

“Although the senior counsel appeared in this matter for the first time, two senior counsels have previously appeared and promised that the defendant will appear for his arraignment.

“In the absence of any cogent excuse to produce the defendant for arraignment, a bench warrant is hereby issued against the defendant,” the court ruled.

Justice Ijelu has adjourned the matter to November 15 for the arraignment of the defendant.

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