Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo

A Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Wednesday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of  Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo over alleged failure to appear before it.

Ewhrudjakpo, who represents Bayelsa West Senatorial Zone failed to appear in court after the court summoned him over a pre-election suit filed against him by Mr Benjamin Youdiowei, Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa.

The plaintiff alleged that  Ewhrudjakpo presented a forged NYSC Exemption Certificate with code  No: 139708 dated Feb. 2, 1998, on his nomination form to INEC.

He also alleged that Ewhrudjakpo was still in possession of the document which he continued to use as part of his credentials.

He alleged that the defendant committed the offence of cheating, impersonation, forgery which were at variant with sections 363, 368, 366 and 324 of the Penal Code.

At the resumed trial, Mr Seidu Jibrin, Counsel for the plaintiff, told the court that the matter was fixed for hearing but, expressed concerns that the defendant had consistently failed to honour the summons.

However, Mr Ijere A.O, Counsel to Ewhrudjakpo apologised for the absence of the defendant adding that his client traveled out of the court’s jurisdiction.

Ijere prayed the court to grant the defendant one more date to enable him to appear.

Jibrin opposed the application of the defendant’s counsel and prayed the court to issue a bench warrant to ensure Sen. Ewhrudjakpo appears under section 352(1), 131 and 134 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015.

Jibrin told the court that Ewhrudjakpo was aware of the case, adding that the defendant was duly served with the notice of sitting.

The counsel for the defendant, however, opposed the application of the complainant counsel and for a warrant of arrest to be issued.

He prayed to the court to grant his client one more grace in the interest of justice.

Delivering his ruling, the judge, Abubakar Sadiq held that the defendant was aware of the case but chose to stay away.

“ In the circumstance, I hereby issue a bench warrant against the defendant.

“I also order  that the matter should be referred to the Wuye Police Station for further investigation,’’ he said

Sadiq further ordered the police to report to the court before Dec. 11, 2019.

[NAN]

Vanguard News Nigeria.