Court orders arrest of alleged land grabber
26 April 2024 |
2:53 am
Justice Adenike Coker of a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja has issued a warrant of arrest against an alleged notorious land grabber, Moroof Owonla, known as Kaka Moroof and others for their absence in court in an ongoing felony trial filed against them.
Federal High Court, Lagos State.
Justice Adenike Coker of a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja has issued a warrant of arrest against an alleged notorious land grabber, Moroof Owonla, known as Kaka Moroof and others for their absence in court in an ongoing felony trial filed against them.
The matter has suffered several adjournments due to absence of defendants in court since the case was filed. Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Babajide Martins, had filed an eight-count charge against Moroof Owonla, Olu-Aminu Yemisi Abdulaziz and Ganiyu Aminu for alleged conspiracy to commit a felony.
They were alleged of forcible entry into a landed property situated at No 34, Faguson Osagie Street. According to the prosecution, the defendants alongside thugs numbering about 20 invaded the property (a hotel) with intent to deprive a businessman, Hassan Alli of his property.
They allegedly carted away building materials valued at over N32 million. At the last adjourned date, Justice Coker had ordered the defence counsel to produce the defendants for arraignment, failing which the court shall be inclined to accede to the prayer of the complainants counsel for a bench warrant against them.
However, at the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, counsel from the office of the DPP, Ms.T.O. Adeyegbe told the court that the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN) has directed that the matter be forwarded to Restorative Justice to see if a resolution can be achieved.
Responding to her submission, the complainants counsel, Mr. Imran Shitta-Bey, informed the court that on January 17, the complainant received a letter from the Attorney General to attend an Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADR) meeting and was surprised to see the defendants, Moroof Owonla and others in attendance, which indicated that the DPP knows how to invite and present the defendants for trial.
Mr. Shitta-bey stated that the complainant is of the view that the defendants are in disrespect of the court, having refused to come to court to take their plea and were able to attend ADR. He noted that their non-appearance was deliberate; as such he is seeking a bench warrant against them.
After listening to the counsel, Justice Coker granted the prayer and issued a bench warrant against the defendants. The judge subsequently adjourned to May 13, for possible arraignment of the defendants.
The DPPs legal advice had recommended the trial of the suspected land grabbers as a follow-up to a diligent investigation carried out by the Police, and the report issued thereafter, which indicted all the defendants.
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