Justice A. R Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, November 19, 2015 issued a bench warrant for the arrest of one Victor Ochala, a suspected fraudster, whose continued absence in court has been stalling his arraignment for offences bordering on forgery and obtaining by false pretence preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Ochala, after securing the agency's administrative bail, was to be arraigned on June 22, 2015, but had been elusive, forcing the court to adjourn severally.

At today's sitting, when the case was called, and it was discovered that, Ochala was again absent, counsel to EFCC, Johnson Ojogbane urged the court to issue an arrest warrant against the accused to enable the prosecution bring him before the court.
The counsel relied on Section 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which states that, "where a defendant against whom information has been duly preferred, and on whom the information and notice of trial have been duly served, does not appear to plead to the information, whether he is under recognizance, to appear or not, the court may issue a warrant for his arrest".
Ojogbane told the court that, the last time the accused was brought to court, he had to be rearrested for breaching his bail terms having been elusive for almost six months".
To this end, Ojogbane urged the court to issue an arrest warrant against the accused.
However, Ochala's counsel, F.U Okolo apologized to the court for the absence of the defendant.
"I was in touch with the accused yesterday who during our conversation gave me assurance that, he would be in court today. But, I am yet to see him", Okolo told the court
The counsel pleaded for the understanding of the court, notwithstanding the fact that, the defendant has no reason to stay away from court and asked for a short date to enable the defence secure the attendance of the accused before the court.
After listening to the arguments of both counsel, Justice Mohammed ordered the arrest of the accused person and adjourned to January 25, 2016 for his arraignment.
Ochala allegedly conspired with others at large to defraud the nominal complainant to the tune of N220m (two hundred and twenty million naira) under the guise of securing government houses that were allegedly meant for sale.

                                          Wilson Uwujaren
                                      Head, Media & Publicity
                                        19th November, 2015