An Abuja High Court has issued a warrant of arrest against Nnaemeka Chukwueze, a Civil Engineer, over alleged forgery of title documents, theft, conspiracy and impersonation.
Justice Samira-Umar Bature gave the order after the prosecution lawyer, Matthew Onoja, made an application to the effect following Chukwueze’s absence in court.
The amended charge, dated April 8, 2025, was filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who took over the prosecution of the case from the police.
Chukwueze is being prosecuted alongside Samuel Udo-Imeh; Ifeanyi Abaekwueme; Bob Chiedozie Ugu; a private firm, Earth Conscience Limited and NBC Infrastructure West Africa Limited on a 12-count charge marked No: FCT/HC/CR/302/2023.
Although, the case was scheduled for the arraignment of the defendants, the absence of the 1st and 4th defendants (Udo-Imeh and Chukwueke) stalled the process.
1st defendant’s lawyer, Ebere Okonkwo, explained to the court that his client had an emergency but he was already on his way to court.
On his part, counsel to the 4th defendant, G.P. Ukpong, in his oral submission, informed the court that Chukwueke was undergoing a medical procedure on his nose.
However, the medical report he tendered before the court stated that the 4th defendant was suffering from hypertension.
Responding, Onoja urged the court to hold that the 4th defendant did not place sufficient material before the court to support his claim.
Specifically, he pointed out that while the medical report says the 4th defendant is suffering from hypertension, his lawyer said he is undergoing a procedure on his nose.
He submitted that the medical report and the submission by counsel were contradictory and the court cannot pick and choose which of them to believe.
Onoja argued that where a party presents two contradictory report before the court, it is not for the court to choose which of them is correct.
While urging the court to reject both the medical report and the submission of counsel to the 4th defendant, Onoja sought for a warrant of arrest against Chukwueke.
He stated that the 4th defendant failed to furnish the court with sufficient material to support his claim.
In her ruling, Justice Bature agreed with the prosecution and ordered that a warrant of arrest be issued against Chukwueke to compel his appearance in court.
Meanwhile, the 3rd defendant, (Bob Chiedozie Ugu), who is defending himself, asked for an accelerated hearing of the case.
His position was supported by both the prosecution and other defence lawyers and the judge granted the prayer and adjourned the matter until May 11, 12, 15 and 19.
The prosecution had alleged that the defendants forged title documents, including the Power of Attorney with fraudulent intention of converting the property belonging to Nexune Nigeria Limited.
While Chidozie, an Abia-based legal practitioner, who is also the Managing Director of Earth Conscience Limited, was a former Commissioner for Works in Abia, Udoh-Imeh, who works in the Information Technology and Services Sector, is also an Abuja-based businessman.