Fraud: Absence of property developer stalls arraignment

The absence of Mr Cecil Osakwe, a property developer and managing director of Abeh Signatures Limited, on Thursday, stalled his arraignment in a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Osakwe, who was to be arraigned by the Federal Government before Justice Mohammed Idris on alleged 130 million fraud, was not in court for the second time.

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When the matter was called, Osakwe’s counsel, Emmanuel Orhakioyamhe, told the court that he was not served with the charge.

Orhakioyamhe assured that his client would appear on the next adjourned date for his arraignment.

The Prosecution Counsel, Una Matthew, told the court that Orhakioyamhe undertook to serve the charge on his client, but the defence lawyer denied signing any undertaking.

After it was established that Osakwe was not served with the charge sheet, Justice Idris adjourned the case until Sept. 19 for arraignment.

On Tuesday, the court ordered Orhakioyamhe to appear in court to offer an explanation for why Osakwe failed to show up for arraignment over alleged 130 million fraud.

Mathew prayed on the court to issue a bench warrant against the defendant over his alleged refusal to stand his trial.

But Justice Idris in a short ruling ordered Osakwe’s lawyer to appear before the court to explain his client’s absence in court.

The property developer is facing criminal charges of fraud and criminal intimidation filed against him by the Federal Government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

According to the application marked: CR/244/2022, dated June 9 and filed on June 14, Osakwe is accused of Advanced Fee Fraud punishable under Section 3(1) of the Laws of the Federation 2004.

In the charge signed by Mr M. B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution in the Federal Ministry of Justice, he was also accused of criminal intimidation of one Ms Asabe Waziri.

He was said to have threatened Waziri with injury to her person and reputation with intent to cause harm and even death in order to cause her to stop requesting legitimately from him (Osakwe) her receipt for payment for the purchase of a unit of two-bedroom flat with a maid’s quarters at Abeh Signature Apartments, Maitama Abuja. (NAN)