Court orders arrest of police officer who allegedly evaded arraignment

Justice Samira Bature of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama issued an arrest order on Thursday for police officer Edith Erhunmuuse, who is alleged to have evaded arraignment in an ongoing criminal case.

The judge instructed all law‑enforcement agencies nationwide to arrest Erhunmuuse wherever she is located.

Justice Bature granted the application after a request from prosecution counsel Aderonke Imana.

Erhunmuuse is the third defendant in case FCT/HC/CR/222/2023, alongside Cecil Osakwe and Victor Giwa. The defendants face charges of criminal conduct related to the alleged forceful eviction of occupants and the destruction of property valued at approximately N300 million.

During the resumed hearing, Imana told the court that Erhunmuuse had again failed to appear, despite an earlier bench warrant issued against her.

The prosecution noted that letters had previously been sent to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, and that directives had been issued by the Inspector‑General of Police to ensure her court appearance.

“Yet, the defendant failed to appear in spite of the directives of the Inspector‑General of Police,” Imana said.

Invoking Section 353 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the prosecution urged the court to issue another warrant for the absent defendant.

Imana argued that Erhunmuuse had ignored court proceedings for more than a year, whereas the other defendants had consistently attended.

Counsel for the first defendant, A.S. Usman, informed the court that amicable settlement discussions from the previous sitting were still underway. The second defendant, Victor Giwa, who appeared in person, agreed with the submission.

In her ruling, Justice Bature expressed dissatisfaction with the third defendant’s conduct, stating that the court could no longer tolerate further delays.

“The court is approaching its vacation time and cannot further delay the matter, including the order of arrest against the third defendant,” the judge said.

“The court hereby issues a bench warrant to all law‑enforcement agencies for the arrest of the third defendant, wherever she may be found, for showing disobedience and disrespect to this court,” Justice Bature ruled.

The order was issued pursuant to Section 352 of the ACJA 2015.

The matter was adjourned until September 29 for continuation of the trial, with the court warning that there would be no further excuses for non‑appearance.