The 2021 Anambra Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Andy Uba, is in hot water as the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to issue a warrant for his arrest over an alleged ₦400 million appointment racket.
The ex-lawmaker, who has repeatedly dodged court appearances, is accused of masterminding a fraudulent scheme promising top political appointments in exchange for cash.
At Wednesday’s hearing, trial judge Justice Mohammed Umar lost patience with Uba’s absence.
“I will give you another opportunity by giving you another date. This case must be heard this year. Even if it means issuing a bench warrant of arrest, the court will do that,” he thundered, before fixing October 28, 2025, for arraignment.
Defense lawyer, C.L. Odiniru, pleaded that Uba was receiving medical treatment in the United States, but prosecution counsel, Aminu Abdullahi, shot back that no shred of evidence had been produced to prove the illness.
“During previous proceedings in the matter, sickness was cited as reason for his absence without adducing any documentary evidence to show that he is actually sick and cannot face his trial,” Abdullahi told the court, urging the judge to sign the arrest order in the “best interest of justice.”
The case, filed under number FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024, accuses Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu, of conspiring with one Hajiya Fatima (still on the run) in 2022 to swindle businessman George Uboh.
The alleged deal? Pay ₦400 million in exchange for a guaranteed appointment as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
“A presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006,” the charge sheet read.
Uboh, in a petition to the IGP dated April 5, 2023, insisted he had “overwhelming and irrefutable” documentary evidence and voice recordings to back up his claim.
At least six witnesses have been lined up to testify against the former senator and his alleged accomplice when the trial kicks off.
The case, originally before Justice Inyang Ekwo, was reassigned to Justice Umar after Ekwo’s suspension by the National Judicial Council.