Court issues arrest warrant for Obioha, ex-NADECO chieftain

A Lagos state high court in Ikeja has issued a bench warrant against Ralph Obioha, a chieftain of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), and one Ifeanyi Okereke.

Modupe Nicole-Clay, the trial judge, on Tuesday, issued the bench warrant following the absence of Obioha and Okereke in court in a case brought against them.

They are facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, willful damage, and stealing.

The defendants are standing trial for allegedly damaging seven vehicles belonging to Yomi Tokosi, a former managing director of First African Trust Bank.

Obioha and Okereke were alleged to have entered the residence of Tokosi at Ikoyi, on November 29, 2020, and willfully damaged seven vehicles, windows and doors.

At the court hearing on Tuesday, Temitope Ogunleye, the defence counsel, apologised to the court over the absence of the defendants.

Ogunleye said Obioha is currently medically unfit to stand trial, saying that the defendant is on admission at Saint Francis Hospital in Ikoyi.

“We have tried to reach Okereke but to no avail. However, Obioha is medically unfit and he is on admission at Saint Francis Hospital in Ikoyi,” the counsel told the court.

“He has been ill about a month ago but he had to travel down to Lagos a few days ago contrary to medical advice that he has to be present in court today.

“Unfortunately, he was rushed to the hospital yesterday.

“The matter is currently going on at magistrate court in Yaba and the defendant has not been absent.”

Countering the defence counsel, Babajide Martins, director of public prosecution, said the case filed at the magistrate court had been struck out upon commencement of the trial at the high court.

“My lord, the cases at the magistrate court Yaba have been struck out upon the commencement of this proceeding,” Martins said.

“My lord, the defendants are aware of their arraignment in court today but they chose not to make themselves available.

“The assertion of my learned colleague that one of the defendants is sick is against what the bailiff who went to their house was told.

“Our application is that warrant should be issued.”

In January 2021, Obioha was arrested over an alleged attempt to murder Tokosi.