Justice Mojisola Dada of the special offences court sitting in Lagos, has declared the Chairman of Innoson Motors Nigeria Ltd, Innocent Chukwuma wanted over his failure to make an appearance in court for his arraignment for the fifth time.
Chukwuma, alias Innoson is standing trial in a matter between his company and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Dada had declared the automobile boss wanted, granting the request of Anselem Ozioko, the lead prosecuting counsel of the EFCC.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Innoson had previously failed to make an appearance in court for his arraignment on Jan. 17, Feb. 9, March 14 and April 25.
His failure to appear before the court for five consecutive times informed the issuance of the bench warrant.
During the proceedings of March 14, it was revealed that Innoson had petitioned the National Judicial Council over Justice Mojisola Dada, the judge trying the case.
Ozioko in his submission seeking the declaration of Innoson wanted said: “This appears to be the fifth time this matter is coming up before your Lordship for arraignment.
“The learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria representing the second defendant (Innoson) is still insisting on taking his application without ensuring the defendant is physically present in court.
“The question is, where is the second defendant? Is he too big for the court? Is he too big for the Federal Republic of Nigeria? Is he too big because he has money? Where is he?
“What my learned friends, the defence counsel are doing is contemptuous.
“We shall be applying for an order to declare the second defendant wanted.”
Acceding to Ozioko’s request, Justice Dada said, “The second defendant is hereby declared wanted and the case adjourned until June 22 for possible arraignment.”
Earlier, during the proceedings, Ozioko had informed the court that the anti-graft agency will also be taking some steps to ensure Innoson’s attendance in court on the next adjourned date.
Counsel to Innoson, George Uwechue (SAN) had requested that the court hear his application despite Justice Dada’s declaration that no application will be heard until Innoson is physically present in court.
Source:NAN
