Police seek a bench warrant to arrest ex-senator Andy Uba over a ₦400m job scam case.
Court warns trial must proceed after repeated absences despite claims of medical treatment abroad.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of former senator Andy Uba over an alleged N400 million job scam.
The police want Uba brought to court to face trial after repeatedly failing to appear for arraignment. Uba, who represented Anambra South in the Senate, is standing trial alongside Benjamin Etu for allegedly defrauding a businessman with a promise of securing an appointment.
Justice Mohammed Umar had fixed Wednesday for their arraignment, but Uba was absent again. His lawyer, C.L. Odiniru, told the court the former senator is receiving treatment in the United States. However, the prosecution’s lawyer, Aminu Abdullahi, argued that no medical evidence had been presented to back the claim. Abdullahi urged the court to issue a bench warrant to compel Uba’s appearance.
Justice Umar, visibly displeased with Uba’s repeated absence, warned the defense that the case must proceed this year. “I will give you another opportunity by giving you another date. This case must be heard this year. Even if it means issuing a bench warrant of arrest, the court will do that,” he said, adjourning the case until October 28, 2025, for Uba and Etu to take their plea.
The case involves claims that Uba, Etu, and another person now at large conspired in 2022 to collect N400 million from Mr. George Uboh under the false promise of securing a Managing Director appointment at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The alleged offences fall under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The amended charge, filed in March 2025, lists Uba and Etu as the only defendants. The police say they have documentary evidence and recordings from the complainant, and at least six witnesses are lined up to testify. The case was reassigned to Justice Umar after the suspension of the previous trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, by the National Judicial Council.
