Court issues arrest warrant for Imo Deputy Speaker over criminal charges.
Justice Charles Agbaza of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja has issued a warrant of arrest against the Deputy Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Amarachi Chynalwuanyawu, over his refusal to appear in court for trial on criminal charges.
The judge ordered the Commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) set up by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to effect the arrest of the lawmaker in any part of Nigeria and bring him to Abuja to face the charges against him.
The issuance of the arrest order followed the alleged refusal of the Deputy Speaker and his company, Sungold Estate Limited, to answer to charges filed against them by the IGP.
Counsel to the complainant, Mr Umoh Inah, had told the judge that the criminal charges against the lawmaker were served on him in person as well as through his lawyer but he chose to ignore the order of the court to appear for trial.
He said that the lawmaker was apprehended at the Imo Airport in Owerri but could not be brought to Abuja due to the intervention of the authority of the Imo State Government House.
The lawyer, therefore, pleaded that specific order be issued for the arrest of the lawmaker.
At the proceedings, counsel to the lawmaker, Mr Nabel Ominigbo, told the judge that his client was not in court because of an undisclosed ailment.
He however said that he has no evidence of sickness of the client when asked by the judge to show evidence.
In a ruling, Justice Agbaza recalled that the court on three occasions had refused to issue an arrest warrant against the Deputy Speaker because of his status and regretted that the lawmaker refused to respect the court and his position.
The judge held that since he has chosen to disrespect and disregard an order of court to freely appear in court, he has no option than to compel his appearance in court since he has no immunity and is not above the law.
Justice Agbaza consequently ordered his immediate arrest by the Commander of the Intelligence Response Team and his officers and men and detention till January 14 when hearing of the criminal charges against him will come up.