Justice Adenike Coker of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has issued a bench warrant of arrest against an alleged notorious fugitive landgrabber, Moroof Owonla, known as Kaka Moroof and others over their absence in court in an ongoing felony trial filed against them.
The matter has suffered several adjournments due to the absence of defendants in court since the case was filed against them.
The Directorate of Public Prosecution, (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins had filed eight-count charges against Moroof Owonla, Olu-Aminu Yemisi Abdulaziz and Ganiyu Aminu over alleged conspiracy to commit a felony.
They were alleged of forcible entry into a landed property situated at No 34, Faguson Osagie Street. The defendants with thugs numbering about twenty invaded the hotel (property) with intent to deprive a businessman, Hassan Alli of his property.
They carted away building materials valued at over thirty-two million naira.
Meanwhile, Justice Coker at the last proceeding, had ordered the defendant’s counsel to produce the defendants for arraignment in the suit, failing which the court shall be inclined to accede to the prayer of the complainant counsel for a bench warrant against the defendants.
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However, at the resumed hearing today, counsel from the office of the DPP, Ms T. O. Adeyegbe told the court that the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN) had directed the matter be forwarded to Restorative Justice to see if a resolution can be achieved.
Responding to her submission, the complainant’s counsel, Mr. Imran Shitta-Bey informed the court that on January 17, the complainant received a letter from the Attorney General to attend an Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADR) meeting and was surprised to see the fugitive defendants, Moroof Owonla and others in attendance, which indicates that the DPP knows how to invite and present the defendants for trial.
Mr Shitta-bey stated that the complainant is of the view that the defendants are disrespectful of the court, having refused to come to court to take their plea and were able to attend ADR.
He noted that their non-appearance is deliberate, as such he is seeking a bench warrant or arrest against them.
After listening to them, Justice Coker therefore granted the prayer and issued a bench warrant against the defendants.
The matter was subsequently adjourned till May 13 for possible arraignment of the defendants.
The DPP legal advice has recommended the trial of the suspected notorious land grabber as a follow-up to a diligent investigation carried out by the Police and the report issued thereafter which indicted all the defendants.
