Justice Ibironke Harrison of the Lagos State High Court has ordered the arrest of Access Bank’s acting Managing Director, Bolaji Agbede, along with three others – Balmoral International Limited, DDSS International Company Limited, and Adejare Adegbenro – for their alleged failure to appear for arraignment.
The judge’s order came after the Lagos State prosecution counsel, Uthman̈ Rilwan, informed the court that the defendants had been served with notice but did not attend the arraignment.
The Lagos State government had filed a four-count charge against the defendants, including conspiracy, stealing, and attempted theft.
Upon calling the case, Rilwan stated that the purpose of the day’s proceedings was to arraign the defendants, yet they were not present despite being informed of the court date.
The prosecutor stated that on or about September 2, 2013, at Plot 1261, Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, the defendants conspired to commit theft.
He alleged that Adejare, Balmoral, Access Bank, and Agbede stole the property of MOB Integrated Services at Plot 40b, Burdillion Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, by using it as security for a loan without the complainant’s consent and subsequently entered into a consent judgment.
Additionally, they were accused of attempting to steal the property of MOB Integrated Services on May 26, 2019, by offering and granting DDSS International Company Limited a credit facility of N1 billion.
According to the prosecutor, these offences contravened Sections 411, 280, and 21 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.
Rilwan stated, “My Lord, this matter is for arraignment today, and the defendants have been duly served with a copy of the charge. We request the court to issue a bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest to ensure they attend proceedings on the next court date.”
Consequently, Justice Harrison issued a bench warrant against the second to fifth defendants, Balmoral International Limited, Access Bank, Bolaji Agbede, and DDSS International Company Limited.
The judge directed that the bench warrant be executed against the principal officers and adjourned the case until February 24, 2025, for the arraignment of the defendants.
