Five former senior police officers charged with alleged age falsification on Thursday failed, for the third time, to appear for their arraignment before Justice Halilu Yusuf of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
The officers are: Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Idowu Owohunwa; Commissioner of Police (CP) Benneth Igweh; CP Ukachi Opara; Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Obo Ukam Obo; and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Simon Lough.
They are facing a 14-count charge filed against them by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
At the previous sitting, Justice Halilu directed the IGP to do everything within his powers to produce the defendants in court for prosecution. This order followed submissions by the prosecution counsel, Rimamsomte Ezekiel, who had expressed disappointment at their continued absence despite being served with the charge.
When the case was called on Thursday, the defendants were again absent. Ezekiel informed the court that the officers had been duly served in line with the law and were expected to appear for their arraignment.
“My Lord, this is the third time they have failed to attend. Their counsel, Goddy Uche, SAN, should ensure they are produced at the next adjourned date,” Ezekiel prayed.
However, counsel to the defendants, J. T. Aondo, SAN, argued that his clients had not been properly served. He added that “this matter rests on esprit de corps principles” and disclosed that former Inspector-General of Police Mike Okiro was intervening to explore the possibility of an internal settlement. Aondo also informed the court that he had a preliminary objection to raise.
In response, Ezekiel queried how the defendants could have briefed counsel if, as claimed, they had not been served with the charge.
After hearing both sides, Justice Halilu ordered defence counsel to produce his clients in court so that they could enter their pleas. He stated that the court would proceed further once the pleas had been taken.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case until 17 November for arraignment.
