A Federal high court judge sitting in Lagos South West Nigeria, Justice Saliu Saidu has ordered that one David Ukueku be joined as a co- defendant in criminal trial of an accused person, Godpower Favour alleged to have swindled a Lagos businessman to the tune of N39 million.
Justice Saidu said after hearing the testimony of the plaintiff witness 1 in this case alleging making payment into the account of one David Ukueku and court having carefully listened to the evidence so far in this case, it is hereby ordered as follows :
“That I found that David Ukueku is accomplice in this case, That David Ukueku be joined as a defendant to this case, that so doing will bring justice to this case.”
Meanwhile, in a petition written to the Inspector General of Police by Barrister Nofiu Malomo from the law firm of George -Taylor, Ashiru on behalf of the complainant Mr Kamoru Atinsola, the petitioner alleged that Godpower Favour currently standing trial before the court, collected N39 million from the Lagos businessman, Mr Kamoru Atinsola, under the pretext that he was going to supply him gold. The money was paid into the First Bank account of one David Ukueku, thereafther Godpower was not seen until he was apprehended with the assistance of Interpol in Ghana. David Ukueku was equally arrested and in his statement to the Police he admitted that the N39 million was paid into his personal account.
Godspower Favour was arraigned on two count criminal charge of obtaining N39 million from Atinsola kamoru, David Ukueku was not charged. However, the police prosecutor from state Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba Lagos State, Mr G. O. Osuji told the court that he had filed a charge against David Ukueku as ordered by the court but the O/C Legal from state Criminal Investigation Yaba and a legal officer from zone two police command Onikan came to meet him in court that Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos state had ordered that the charge against David Ukueku be immediately withdrawn. No reason was given for this strange order,
Consequently the petitioner contended that the Police at Special Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba being junior officer will find it difficult to execute the bench warrant issued by the court in view of the interest of the AIG Zone2, in a simple case of criminal conspiracy.
The Petitioner then urged the Inspector General of Police to use his good office to ensure that the court order is obeyed and make sure that David Ukueku is arraigned in court.
Justice Saidu has adjourned till May 30,2018 for continuation of trial.