By Anifowoshe Oladipupo
The Director of Investigations and Prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr. Joseph Eriki, has denied evading justice in an ongoing land fraud case before an Abuja High Court sitting in Garki.
Speaking through his lead counsel, Elaigwu Apeh, after appearing before Justice Suleiman Belgore on Wednesday, Eriki stated that he had complied with legal procedures and filed the necessary applications.
Last week, the court issued a bench warrant for Eriki’s arrest over his failure to appear and enter a plea to a nine-count charge brought against him by the Federal Government.
According to the prosecution, Eriki, along with others, allegedly conspired between 2019 and 2024 to defraud a company; Etha Ventures Limited of plots 461 to 470 and 486 to 496 at Sabon Lugbe East Layout, Abuja.
He is accused of using forged land documents to perpetrate the fraud, an offence contrary to Section 366 of the Penal Code Act, 2009, and punishable under Section 364 of the same law.
Citing Section 124 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the prosecution urged the court to issue the bench warrant as a last resort to compel the defendant’s appearance in court.
However, addressing journalists, Eriki’s counsel explained that they had filed two applications, one to set aside the bench warrant and another to stay proceedings pending proper service of court processes.
“In the wisdom of the court, there is a need for the defendants to appear on the next adjourned date, which is June 23. We will ensure their appearance and hope our applications are duly considered,” Apeh said.
He added: “We are not running from justice. We have a good defence. But justice must follow due process.”
