ABUJA — The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of former senator Andy Uba over an alleged N400 million job scam.
The request was made on Wednesday after Uba, who represented Anambra South in the Senate, failed to appear for his arraignment in a two-count charge alongside his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu. Prosecutors told the court that Uba’s repeated absence was unjustified, despite his lawyer’s claim that he was undergoing treatment in the United States.
Justice Mohammed Umar expressed frustration over Uba’s non-appearance, warning that the court would issue an arrest warrant if he failed to attend the next hearing. The judge adjourned the case to October 28, 2025, for the defendants to take their plea.
Uba and Etu are accused of conspiring with a woman, identified as Hajiya Fatima (at large), to obtain N400 million from businessman George Uboh under the false pretext of securing him the position of Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The alleged offence, prosecutors said, violates the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The case was reassigned to Justice Umar after former trial judge Inyang Ekwo was suspended by the National Judicial Council. At least six witnesses are expected to testify against the defendants.
