The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to issue a warrant of arrest against a former lawmaker, Senator Andy Uba, over an alleged ₦400 million job scam.
The IGP made the request on Wednesday following Uba’s persistent absence from court. Uba, who once represented Anambra South in the Senate, was expected to appear for arraignment in connection with the alleged job fraud.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, had in July fixed Wednesday, September 24, 2025, for the arraignment of Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu.
When the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024, was called, counsel to the defendants, C.L. Odiniru, apologised for Uba’s absence, stating that the former federal lawmaker and one-time presidential aide was sick and currently receiving treatment in the United States.
Prosecution counsel, Aminu Abdullahi, however, countered the submission, telling the court that the defense had on several occasions cited sickness as reason for Uba’s absence without presenting any medical document to back the claim. He therefore prayed the court to issue a bench warrant for Uba’s arrest.
The defense counsel opposed the application but, following the court’s directive, submitted that they had now obtained documents to show that Uba was indeed receiving treatment abroad.
Abdullahi, however, maintained that granting the bench warrant application would serve the best interest of justice.
Apparently displeased by Uba’s repeated absence, Justice Umar warned that the court would not hesitate to take decisive action. “I will give you another opportunity by giving you another date. This case must be heard this year. Even if it means issuing a bench warrant of arrest, the court will do that,” the judge said. He then adjourned the matter till October 28, 2025, for Uba and his co-defendant to take their plea.
The prosecution had, on March 5, 2025, amended a two-count charge against Uba and Etu before the former trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo. The police had earlier listed Uba and two others in the first charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024.
