Court Orders Arrest of Imo Deputy Speaker over Alleged N75m Fraud

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Charles Agbaza of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jabi, Abuja on Thursday, issued a warrant for the arrest of the Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Amarachi Iwuanyanwu, over his alleged involvement in a N75 million fraud.

The order was sequel to Iwuanyanwu’s failure to appear in court to answer to the four-count charge filed against him by the Inspector General (IG) of Police.

Justice Agbaza, who issued the warrant in a ruling, directed the Commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) headquarters, Abuja to execute the orders of the court.

The defendant alongside a firm, Sungold Estate Ltd, were in the charge marked: CR/230/201, accused of defrauding Wanogan Farm Ltd to the tune of N75 million by allegely making dishonest and fraudulent claims in respect of a property known as Heroes Place, Plot 145 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Iwuanyanwu was absent in court when the matter came up on Thursday and his lawyer, Nabal Ominigbo, apologised for his absence.

The lawyer explained that his client was suffering from some health challenges.

However, he could not present any medical report to support his claim when the judge requested for one.

Reacting, the prosecuting lawyer, Umoh Inah, recalled that following Iwuanyanwu’s absence on the last date, the court issued a bench warrant against the defendant, who was later arrested at the Owerri Airport by Inspector Godwin Tanko of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

Inah said the intervention of security personnel attached to the Imo State Government House frustrated the defendant’s arrest and movement to Abuja for the purpose of his being arraigned.

Inah therefore urged the court for a fresh arrest warrant to be directed at the Commander of the IRT, Abuja for easy execution.

In a short ruling, Justice Agbaza granted the request and subsequently issued the fresh arrest warrant, directing the Commander, IRT, Abuja to arrest Iwuanyanwu and produce him in court on the next adjourned date of January 13.