Court orders arrest of businessman, Cletus Ibeto over alleged N4.8bn fraud

The Lagos High Court sitting in the Ikeja area on Friday ordered the arrest of businessman, and owner of Ibeto Energy Development Company, Cletus Ibeto, for allegedly refusing to appear in court to stand trial over fraud allegations.

Justice Ismail Ijelu issued the bench warrant for his arrest after a motion moved by the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, who informed the judge that the defendant had flagrantly failed and refused to appear in court despite repeated hearing notices served on him.
The EFCC had filed a 10-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, forgery and fraudulent use of documents against the defendant alongside his companies, Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings Ltd over an alleged N4.8 billion fraud.

Mr Ibeto’s arraignment was stalled on September 28 and October 5 due to his failure to appear in court, although he was represented by his lawyers.

His lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, had informed the judge that his client was absent due to ill health and promised to produce him in court on Friday.

But upon his absence again, another defence lawyer, Dada Awosika, SAN, told the judge that the defendant was sick and could not attend court, prompting the EFCC Counsel to apply orally for a bench warrant for the arrest of the businessman. In his ruling, Justice Ijelu adjourned the matter to November 15 for the arraignment of the defendant.