Warrant of arrest: Former Plateau speaker explains why he was not in court

FOLLOWING a bench warrant issued by Jos State High Court on Monday for the arrest of a former Speaker to Plateau House of Assembly, Mr John Dabwan, the former speaker has stated that he could not be in court on Monday due to mix up in the appointments he had for the day.

Hon Dawan told Tribune Online on Tuesday that he forgot that the court was expected to sit over the case against him on Monday adding that there was no reminder to that effect prior to the sitting of the court.

“My absent in court on Monday was not deliberate; there was a mix up along the line and also there was no reminder, so it was not deliberate. People in my constituency were shock about the development and they have been coming to find out what happened. I repeated it was not deliberate,” he said

Justice Felomina Lot of High Court IV had issued a bench warrant against the former speaker on Monday, she   gave the order after revoking the bail earlier issued to Dabwan in a case of issuance of a dud cheque in the sum of N3.08 million to one Theophilus Omhagie, a Jos based businessman.

Justice Lot said his refusal to come to court in the matter goes to show that the accused has no respect or regard to the Court; “it’s indeed a slap on this honourable court. I hereby revoke the bail earlier granted to him (accused) and order for his immediate arrest to be handed over to the nearest police station or prison,’’ Lot declared.

Our correspondent reports that Omhagie had through the Prosecution Counsel, Mr E.A. Inbgbenoine told the court that he offered a service to Dabwan sometimes last year, when on October 3, 2016, a cheque for N3.8 million was issued to him.

He had told the Court that the accused had instructed him on the the cheque, a Sterling Bank cheque of Account Number 1001389536, to be cashed only on Oct 4, 2016, but that on presenting the cheque at the counter, it turned out to be a dud cheque.

According to the Complainant, he put much pressure on the accused toward getting that money without success, which prompted him to report the matter to the Police, who filed the case before the High Court.

Lot has adjourned the case till June 20, 2017 for continuation of hearing.