Justice Lesley Wike of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has threatened to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Olalekan Ogunbayo, a former President of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Staff Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society.
The threat follows Ogunbayo’s continuous absence from court to take his plea in an alleged N582 million fraud case.
During court proceedings, prosecution counsel R. U. Adagba informed the judge that it was the third consecutive time Ogunbayo failed to show up for arraignment, noting that he had jumped administrative bail. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) subsequently applied for a warrant to compel his attendance.
However, defense counsel Innocent Adoo opposed the request, explaining that Ogunbayo was currently in Warri and unable to secure a flight to Abuja in time for the session.
Justice Wike subsequently adjourned the matter to November 23 for arraignment, warning that necessary legal actions—including an arrest order—would be taken if the defendant fails to appear on the next adjourned date.
The EFCC is prosecuting Ogunbayo alongside Abolade Nurudeen on an eight-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation, abuse of office, corrupt practices, and obtaining money by false pretence concerning the sale of a cooperative property in Karsana North, Abuja.
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