A Lagos High Court in Ikeja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Cletus Ibeto, the Chairman/CEO of Ibeto Energy Development Company, due to his failure to appear in court and face trial regarding allegations of a N4.8 billion fraud.
The arrest order was issued by Justice Ismail Ijelu on Friday, following a motion presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) represented by Rotimi Jacobs.
The EFCC has lodged a 10-count charge against Ibeto, accusing him and his companies, Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings Ltd, of conspiracy, fraud, forgery, and fraudulent use of documents.
Despite being represented by his lawyers, the defendant’s arraignment was postponed on both September 28 and October 5 due to his absence in court.
On the two occasions, his lawyer Onyechi Ikpeazu informed the judge that his client was absent due to ill health. He, however, promised to produce him in court on November 3 but failed.
Jacobs claimed that the defendant was in Lagos and the commission could have arrested him, but it did not have the order of the court to do so.
Justice Ijelu adjourned the matter to November 15 for the arraignment of the defendant.
