A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has issued a fresh bench warrant for the arrest of police officer Edith Erhunwunse over her continued absence from proceedings in an alleged N300 million criminal eviction and property damage case.
Justice Samira Bature issued the order on Thursday in suit number FCT/HC/CR/222/2023 after an application by the prosecution, represented by Aderonke Imana.
Erhunwunse is being prosecuted alongside property developer Cecil Osakwe and Abuja-based lawyer Victor Giwa on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful eviction, malicious damage and related offences.
According to the Federal Government, the defendants unlawfully evicted Asabe Waziri from her residence on Mekong Street in Maitama, Abuja, in 2022 and allegedly removed valuables worth about N300 million from the property.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to gain unlawful access to the residence without the complainant’s consent and with the assistance of police officers who remain at large.
Court documents further stated that cash, an international passport and other personal belongings belonging to the complainant were allegedly removed from the premises and taken to an unknown location.
The defendants were also accused of breaking into the property without a valid court order, damaging doors and other items, and carting away property valued at N300 million.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel informed the court that a previous bench warrant had already been issued against Erhunwunse and that letters had been forwarded to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, to facilitate her appearance.
