Court issues warrant on defendants over failure to appear for trial

A Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, yesterday issued a bench warrant on two men for failure to appear in court for their trial.

The two defendants, Alkasim Yusuf and Useni Adamu, were charged with criminal intimidation.

The magistrate, Olubunmi Achegbulu, gave the order following the prayer of the prosecutor, Mr Kufreabasi Ebong.

The prosecutor urged the court to bench warrant as defendants were not court.

“In line with Section 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, a bench warrant is hereby issued on the defendants for non-appearance in court.

“Notice is also to be issued on the sureties to come and show cause why had issue the in the bail bond would not be forfeited,” she ordered.

Achegbulu adjourned the case to Aug. 10 for hearing.

Ebong had on July 27, told the court that on July 4, one Mustapha Yusuf of Mabushi reported the matter at Mabushi Police Station.

Ebong said on the same day at about 8.30am, the defendants used an unknown phone number to send a text message to the nominal complainant wife’s phone line.

He said in the message, the defendants demanded for N500,000 or that the nominal complainant’s family would be murdered.

Ebong informed the court that the offence contravened Section 398 of the Penal Code.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations levelled against them. (NAN)