Abuja, Nigeria – A session at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama on Tuesday saw Justice Samira Bature threatening to issue a bench warrant against Abuja-based lawyer Victor Giwa for his failure to appear in an alleged case of unlawful eviction, criminal intimidation, and threats to life.

The case, marked CR/222/2023, involves Giwa and two other defendants, Cecil Osakwe and Edith Erhumwuuse, facing a nine-count charge related to unlawful eviction, criminal intimidation, threat to life, and property damage amounting to N300 million.

During the proceedings, counsel for the plaintiff, M.A Una, informed the court that Giwa, the second defendant, had previously cited illness as reason for absence but was reportedly seen representing a client before another court, contradicting his claim of ill health.

Giwa’s lawyer, Deborah Nwoke, defended her client’s absence, acknowledging his presence in another court but maintaining his illness with a medical report to support it.

Meanwhile, efforts to serve the first defendant, Cecil Osakwe, had been unsuccessful, prompting a request for substituted service to be posted at his residence.

Justice Bature granted the application for substituted service on Osakwe and warned that a bench warrant would be issued against Giwa if he fails to appear at the next hearing, despite her acknowledgment of his status as a lawyer.

The court adjourned the case to Wednesday, July 17, for further proceedings and possible arraignment of the defendants.

The development underscores ongoing legal actions and procedural challenges in cases involving high-profile defendants within Nigeria’s legal system.