Senator Hope Uzodinma
A Kubwa Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Tuesday ordered a public
summon to be published against Senator Hope Uzodinma, who is currently
accused of issuing N200 million dud cheque.
Mr Uzodinma, a serving senator representing Imo-West, Smiec
Engineering and Chemical Construction Company, Niger Global Engineering
and Technical Company, were charged with alleged issuance of N200
million dud cheque.
The Judge, Abdulwahab Mohammed, made the order following a motion
filed by the plaintiffs’ Counsel, Oluwatosin Ojaomo, asking that a
public summon be made against the defendants.
Mr Ojaomo, Counsel to Chitex Ventures and Chima Akuzie (the
complainants), had brought the motion pursuant to the provisions of
Sections 41 and 42 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
He averred that the motion had become imperative as the defendants
appeared to be absconding from justice after they were served a warrant
of arrest on Sept. 18.
He told the court that the joint warrant of arrest issued against
the defendants was duly served on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP)
for the execution of their arrests.
Mr Ojaomo, who tendered an acknowledgment copy of a letter from the
Police, said the defendants had continued to feign knowledge of the
existence of the suit.
Meanwhile, Mr Ojaomo had drawn the attention of the court to an
Interim Order granted by Maitama High Court to stay the proceedings of
the criminal complaint against the defendants.
He said the validity of the order had however, elapsed on Sept. 24,
adding that the defendants had no justifiable reason to stay away from
the court.
Mr Ojaomo said the defendants had also filed a motion of judicial
review in the Maitama High Court against the complainants, the trial
judge, and himself, showing their knowledge of the suit brought against
them.
Recall that a warrant of arrest was issued against Uzodinma and a
not guilty plea was entered for the other defendant in accordance with
Section 478 of the ACJA, on Sept. 18.
NAN also recalls that Chitex Ventures Ltd and Chima Akuzie had
made a Direct Criminal Complaint against the defendants over alleged
issuance of a UBA N200 million dud cheque.
The judge adjourned the case until October 29.
NAN