Justice Adenike Coker of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, yesterday, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of one Moroof Owonla, known as Kaka Moroof and others over their absence in court in an ongoing alleged felony trial filed against them.

The defendants were alleged to have invaded the hotel (property) with the intent to deprive a businessman, Hassan Alli of his property in a land-grabbing quest.

They were alleged to have carted away building materials valued at N30 million.

The court, meanwhile, adjourned till May 13, 2023, for possible arraignment of the defendants.

The matter, which came up yesterday, had suffered several adjournments due to the absence of defendants in court since the case was filed against them, as the judge threatened to order the defendants if they were not in court.

The Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP, Dr Babajide Martins had filed an eight-count charge against Moroof Owonla, Olu-Aminu Yemisi Abdulaziz and Ganiyu Aminu over alleged conspiracy to commit a felony.

They were alleged forcible entry into a landed property situated at No 34, Faguson Osagie Street, Lagos.

However, Justice Coker had earlier ordered the defendant’s counsel to produce the defendants for arraignment in the charge, or she would order their arrest.

At the resumed hearing, yesterday, counsel from the office of the DPP, Ms. T. Adeyegbe told the court that the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, had directed the matter be forwarded to Restorative Justice to see if a resolution could be achieved.

Responding to her submission, the complainant’s counsel, Mr Imran Shitta-Bey informed the court that on January 17, the complainant received a letter from the AG to attend an Alternative Dispute Resolutions, ADR, meeting and was surprised to see the fugitive defendants, Moroof Owonla and others in attendance, which indicates that the DPP knew how to invite and present the defendants for trial.

The matter was subsequently adjourned till May 13, 2023, for possible arraignment of the defendants.