By Ovat Abeng
An Onitsha Magistrate Court presided over by Her Worship, Ukamaka Okoye, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a former Anambra State House of Assembly member, Hon Ifeanychukwu Chiekwu, and two others, alleged to have involved in the destruction of a building under construction worth two hundred million Naira (N200,000,000,00).
Okoye order the arrest of the three men for refusing to appear before her.
The men according to the court, are Hon Ifeanyichukwu Chiekwu, 45 years, Ostia Okoro, 42 years and Ugochukwu Mbaekwe, 52 years respectively.
They are being accused of unlawful destruction of property and unlawfully and willfully damaging and pulling down seven room duplex under construction, valued at two hundred million Naira (N200,000,000,00) property of one Okechukwu Elowue.
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When the matter was mentioned in the court, on Wednesday, the prosecuting Police Officer, ASP Hassan Ochoofu, told the court that the men have evaded service of the Police Charge Sheet, just as they refused to accept the hearing notice issued by the court to them, and have deliberately refused to appear in the Court since hearing notice was issued.
The Magistrate before issuing the bench warrant, had listened to the submissions of the 1st and 3rd accused lawyers, who presented what they call “Doctors Report and Medical Report”, respectively from what they also described as “recognized hospitals” but was not satisfied with the reasons their lawyers gave for their non appearance in court.
The Magistrate rejected the two health reports on the ground that the accused had through their lawyers, came up with similar excuses for not coming to court, adding that the ill health they complained are not such that can prevent them from coming to court.
The prosecuting officer also told the court the efforts the accused made to frustrate the case, including intimidating the complainant, and informed the court that they are not ready to come to court unless bench warrant is issued against them.
After hearing all the parties to the case, the Magistrate issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the three men and adjourned the case to November 4, 2025, for further hearing.
