joshuaAlleged Suicide: Court Seeks INTERPOL Intervention To Arrest Suspect
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The prosecutor in the case involving the alleged aiding of suicide of Mrs. Lilian Omokhuale, daughter of Omoruyi Oloton, Chief Executive Officer of Uyi Technical Limited, is seeking to engage the lnternational Police (INTERPOL) to execute a bench warrant issued by Hon. Justice B. O. Quadri of the Federal High Court 1 sitting in Benin city.
The case, filed as FHC/B/5C/2024, is between the Inspector General of Police and six defendants, including Jessica Iguodala Oghomwen.
At the last court sitting in November 2024, a bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Jessica Iguodala Oghomwen and Chukwudi Mudiaga due to their failure to appear in court.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, P. O. Odion, representing the prosecution, informed the court that Jessica Oghomwen lguodala had deliberately refused to appear in court, thereby treating the court with contempt despite being fully aware of the charges against them.
He highlighted the difficulties in ensuring her presence and stated that seeking INTERPOL’s assistance was necessary to enforce the bench warrant.
E. O. Afolabi, assisted by D. Ogbankwa reminded the court that Asenoguan took Jessica on bail and was expected to produce her in court and now has removed himself from the case by transferring it to another counsel.
At a previous hearing, her former counsel, O. I. Asenoguan, had apologized on her behalf, explaining that she was indisposed and currently in Germany.
However, Jessica lguodala ‘s new counsel, Dele Igbinedion, questioned why no effort was made to verify the validity of her absence.
He argued that the case should be dismissed, stating that it was a civil matter, rather than a criminal case and that there was no clear evidence in the court’s process linking his client to Mrs. Omokhuale’s death.
Following Igbinedion’s request for an adjournment to review the amended charge sheet filed by the prosecution, and with no opposition from the prosecution and counsel to other defendants in the case, the court granted the request.
The prosecution withdrew the original charge sheet, filed on January 1, 2024, and replaced it with an amended version dated July 15, 2024.
In this new charge sheet, Akpes Omorodion and Joy Noren were removed as defendants, leaving Jessica Iguodala Oghomwen, Vincent Uhunmwangho, Blessing Jatto, and Chukwudi Mudiaga as the remaining accused persons.
The case has been adjourned to 25 March, 2025 for further hearing and preliminary objection.
