The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has fixed March 3 for the arraignment of property developer Cecil Osakwe and two others over an alleged illegal eviction involving properties valued at 300 million naira.
Justice Samira Bature adjourned proceedings on Tuesday due to her absence on grounds of ill health.
Osakwe will be arraigned alongside Victor Giwa and Edith Erhunmuuse on a charge marked FCT/HS/CR/222/2023.
The defendants are accused of forcefully evicting occupants and destroying property worth 300 million naira. The matter has suffered multiple delays, including a previous adjournment to allow the third defendant secure legal representation.
During Tuesday’s hearing, counsel to the first defendant opposed the prosecution’s adjournment application, claiming his client had travelled from the United States specifically for the case.
Justice Bature overruled the objection, refusing to strike out the charge, and held that the prosecution deserved the benefit of the doubt despite prior delays.
The judge directed that all pending applications challenging the court’s jurisdiction be addressed when the prosecution is present.
She further ordered that the third defendant appear at the next sitting and that all parties be duly served with notices, emphasising that “both parties must be given the opportunity to be heard” in the interest of justice.
