A Grade 1 area court sitting in Kubwa district of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Senator Hope Uzodinma, representing Imo West Senatorial district, for allegedly issuing a dud cheque worth N200 million.
Uzodinma was charged along with Smiec Engineering and Chemical Construction Company, Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company for allegedly issuing the dud cheque to Chitex Ventures and Chima Akuzie.
The action of the judge, Mr. Abdulwahab Mohammed, followed the continued absence of the senator in court. When the matter came up on September 11, Uzodinma was absent in court following which his counsel, Eze Oguaju, promised to make him available for yesterday’s sitting.
He was, however, absent from court again, forcing the judge to issue the bench warrant against him and enter a plea of not guilty for the other defendants. The judge relied on Section 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in reaching his decision.
The section in reference provides that a court shall order a plea of not guilty to be entered and the trial shall proceed as though the corporation involved had duly entered a plea of not guilty.
The judge adjourned the matter until September 25 for hearing.
Chitex Ventures Limited and Chima Akuzie, the complainants, had made a direct criminal complaint against the defendants over the alleged issuance of an N200 million dud cheque.
