A Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to issue bench warrant against a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bello Haliru, who was absent from hearing in money laundering charges levelled against him and two others.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed on Wednesday ruled that the court will also foreclose his case and proceed without him if he fails to appear at the next adjourned date.
The decision followed an application by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Leke Atolagbe, for the issuance of a bench warrant against Haliru for violating the terms of the release of his international passport for overseas medical treatment.
Justice Mohammed, who observed that the defendant violated the 30 days granted him for overseas treatment, however noted that the defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN) sent a letter that he will on Wednesday October 31 undergo surgery in a London hospital.
“Records show that the third defendant has never been absent in court since this trial started,” the judge said.
The EFCC had in January, 2016 arraigned Bello Haliru, his son, Abba and his company, Bam Projects and Property Ltd for allegedly receiving the sum of N300 million from the former NSA, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki for PDP’s 2015 campaigns.
The case has been adjourned to December 13 for trial.
