The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the arrest of former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General, Ambassador Ayodele Oke and his wife, Folasade.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke gave the order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo told Justice Aneke that the defendants could not be found.
According to him, efforts to reach them by the EFCC proved abortive as calls to their phones rang out.
Presenting the application, Oyedepo pleaded with the court to declare the defendants wanted.
He said: “The defendants are not in court and not represented. They are yet to be served with the charge.
“In the course of the investigation, they provided an address in their statements. We have gone to that address but we didn’t find them. Their security confirmed they live there.
“We also made repeated calls to their numbers, but they chose not to pick our calls.
“In view of these, I urge your lordship to grant us a warrant of arrest of the defendants for the purpose of compelling their attendance in court.
“Section 114 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) empowers your lordship to do so. We’re ready to produce them if we obtain the order.”
Speaking further, the prosecution counsel said the two suspects, who had no legal representation in court, could not claim to be ignorant of the charge brought against them, as the case had been in the news since it was initiated.
“We pray for an additional order declaring them wanted,” the lawyer prayed.
Ruling, Justice Aneke held that the application was meritorious in view of the prosecution’s explanations.
“Consequent upon the difficulties encountered by the prosecution in having them appear before the honourable court to stand their trial, I am convinced that the application is not without merit.
“In the circumstances, I hereby accordingly issue an order of warrant of arrest against the first defendant in accordance with Section 114 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.”
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