N1.4m Dispute: Court Renews Warrant For Lawyer’s Arrest

A Lagos Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Surulere has renewed a bench warrant for the arrest of a lawyer, Moses John Jackson who is charged with allegedly stealing N1.4 million from an 80-year-old journalist, Segun Adenuga.

Chief Magistrate P.A. Ojo ordered the Police to executive the warrant of arrest against Jackson and produce him in court on July 6.

Jackson is facing a two-count charge bordering on stealing and obtaining money under false pretense before Chief Magistrate Ojo.

At the resumed proceedings on Friday, the complainant Adenuga, was in court with his counsel, Miss Temidayo Adebayo.

The prosecution and defendant, Jackson, were absent.

Jackson was also absent in court September 20, 2021, following which the trial Chief Magistrate Ojo issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Adebayo informed the court that the Police had not been able to execute the bench warrant issued about six months ago against the defendant, who had allegedly taken to avoiding his office and other known places.

Chief Magistrate Ojo adjourned the matter till July 6 for trial.

The State Criminal, Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCID), Yaba had, earlier arraigned Jackson on November 23, 2018, on a two-count charge of obtaining by false pretence and stealing before the court.

The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Roman Inuegbe had told the court that Jackson committed the offence between 2002 and December 9, 2009 at No 19, Ramonu Street, Ikate, Surulere, Lagos.

Inuegbe alleged that the lawyer, “with intent to defraud, did obtain from Segun Adenuga the sum of N1.4m under the pretense that you will procure a letter of administration for the sales of his late mother’s property, a representation you knew to be false.”

The court also heard that “on the same date, time and place, Jackson did steal the sum of N1.4m property of Segun Adenuga.”

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 287(9)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e) and 314(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Jackson pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on self-recognizance.