Court To Involve INTERPOL’s Assistance To Enforce Bench Warrant On Defendant
By Ikhili Ebalu,Benin City
Justice B. O. Quadri of the Federal High Court one , sitting in Benin City has adjourned sitting till May 22, 2025 for ruling on a preliminary objection filed by Dele Igbinedion, counsel to Jessica Iguodala Oghomwen, one of the defendants in a case of aiding suicide of Mrs Lilian Omokhuale, daughter of Omoruyi Oloton, the Managing Director and chief executive officer of Uyi Technical Limited.
The judge also read a riot act with a threat to issue a bench warrant against Blessing Jatto, one of the defendants in the case with suit number: FHC/B/C/2024.
Defendants in the suit are Jessica Iguodala Oghomwen, Vincent Uhunmwangho, Blessing Jatto and Chukwudi Mudiaga.
In November 2024, Justice Quadri had issued a Bench warrant against Jessica Iguodala Oghomwen due to her failure to appear in court to face the charges brought against her by the police.
During February 4, 2025 court sitting, P. O. Odion, representing the prosecution also informed the court that Jessica Oghomwen had deliberately refused to appear in court, thereby treating the court with contempt despite being fully aware of the charges against her.
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 adding that the said Asenoguan has removed himself from the case by transferring it to another counsel.
At a previous hearing, Jessica’s former counsel, O. I. Asenoguan, had apologized on her behalf, explaining that she was indisposed and currently in Germany.
However, her new counsel, Dele Igbinedion, questioned why no effort was made to verify the validity of her absence.
In the circumstance, he filed a Moton on Notice, praying the court to quash the charges and also to vacate the bench warrant issued against Jessica Iguodala Oghomwen, his client.
However, the prosecution counsel, P. ODION told the court that he has not been served with a copy of the new motion following an amendment to the charge sheet which reduced the number of defendants from five to four and a copy of the affidavit.
The prosecution told the court that counsel to Jessica Iguodala was deliberately frustrating hearing of the case by not serving him a copy of the court process, which was later served during the court proceeding by counsel to Jessica after seeking the permission of the court.
The prosecution therefore sought for an adjournment to enable him study the document and respond accordingly.
One of the counsels to the petitioner Douglas Ogbankwa esquire led by Olayiwola Afolabi and one of the Defence counsels , Dele Igbinedion esq., spoke with Journalists after the court’s proceedings.
The case has now been adjourned to May 22, 202 for further hearing.
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