A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has issued a fresh bench warrant for the arrest of a police officer, Edith Erhunwunse, over her repeated failure to appear in court in an alleged ₦300 million criminal eviction and property damage case.
Justice Samira Bature granted the application after the prosecution informed the court that the officer had ignored an earlier bench warrant and several directives to appear before the court, despite communications sent to the FCT Commissioner of Police and instructions reportedly issued by the Inspector-General of Police.
Erhunwunse is standing trial alongside property developer Cecil Osakwe and Abuja-based lawyer Victor Giwa on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful eviction, and malicious damage to property. The Federal Government alleges that the defendants forcefully evicted a resident, Asabe Waziri, from her home on Mekong Street in Maitama, Abuja, in 2022 and unlawfully removed cash, an international passport, and other valuables worth about ₦300 million.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly gained unlawful access to the property without a valid court order and, with the assistance of police officers still at large, damaged parts of the residence before carting away valuable belongings.
While ruling on the prosecution’s request, Justice Bature expressed concern that no progress had been made in enforcing the previous warrant and warned that the approaching court vacation could further delay the matter. She consequently directed all law enforcement agencies to arrest the police officer wherever she is found, describing her continued absence as an act of disobedience and disrespect to the court.
The court also encouraged both parties to continue exploring an out-of-court settlement and adjourned the case until September 29, 2026, for the continuation of trial, warning that no further excuses for non-appearance would be entertained.
