Court will issue arrest warrant of ex-PDP national chairman, Haliru, if …

Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division on Wednesday deferred the issuance of a bench warrant for the arrest of former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Mohammed Bello Haliru till December 13.

The judge said that if Haliru who is facing criminal trial with his son and company chose to be absent on the next adjourned date “the court will grant the application for bench warrant and proceed with the matter in his absence,”

The court ruling was sequel to an application brought by the prosecution lawyer Oluwaleke Atolagbe following the absence of the 3rd defendant, Mohammed Bello Haliru, in court.

Haliru who is facing four count charge alongside his son, Bello Mohammed, and their Company, Bam Project and Properties Ltd for alleged diversion of N300m from the office of former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki was conspicuously absence.

The Court was informed that Haliru has being in the United Kingdom since May this year after the court granted him permission in April to travel abroad for medical treatment of an undisclosed ailment.

According to the court directive, Mr Bello was expected to have returned 30 days from the April 18, when the permission was given. He was however not present in July at the last adjourned date.

At the resumed trial on Wednesday, however, Dr. Haliru was also not in court. A counsel for the prosecution, Oluwaleke Atolagbe asked the court to issue a bench warrant for Mr Bello’s arrest and accused him of violating the court directives.

The defence lawyer, Solomon Umoh (SAN) however asked the court to refuse the application for a bench warrant on the grounds that his client has never refused to attend trials.

In a short ruling the trial judge, Justice Mohammed agreed with the defence counsel that Mr Bello has not failed in the past to attend to his trial, but noted that the defendant had violated the order of the court.

“Although the third defendant counsel should have sought for leave of court for his client absence, the medical report has shown why is not in court because of his surgical operation.

“If he should be absent at the next date: the court will grant the application for bench warrant and proceed with the matter in his absence,” Mr Mohammed said.

The matter has been adjourned to December, 13 for continuation of trial.