Court Orders Arrest of Lawyer and Police Officer in Abuja

On April 24, 2026, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, issued an arrest order for lawyer Victor Giwa and police officer Edith Erhunmuus due to their repeated evasion of arraignment. The order was granted by Justice Samira Batur after the prosecution, led by counsel Aderonk Imana, highlighted a systematic pattern of absence from court by the defendants.

The charges, filed in January 2023, include nine counts of criminal conduct involving the forced eviction of occupants and damage to property estimated at N300 million. Justice Batur noted that the defendants had shown disrespect to the court by failing to appear and that their absence was not justified by medical records presented.

The court has adjourned the matter until April 29, 2026, while a bench warrant for the defendants' arrest was issued due to their lack of seriousness regarding the proceedings.