Delta High Court Issues Bench Warrant for Arrest of Favour Abuah, Others

The Delta State High Court sitting in Ibusa and presided over by Hon. Justice H. O. Akpotohwo has issued a bench warrant for the immediate arrest of a well-known Asaba-based land dealer, Chief Lucky Favour Abuah (popularly known as Bullet), along with four other defendants facing criminal charges relating to the forceful acquisition of land owned by members of the Fountain City Landlords Association, Asaba.

The defendants are being prosecuted by the Delta State Government through the office of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

According to the charge sheet No. OTHC/ASB/CR/06/2024, the Inspector-General of Police is prosecuting Ifeanyi Victor Asiodu; Okonkwo Osita; Ezedike Fidelis Izuka; Hen-Eric Empire Golden Ltd; Monye Chinedu Patrick; Lucky Favour Abuah; and Chibo Kingston on a seven-count charge. The offences alleged include,conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace,Obtaining money by force,Criminal forceful entry,Obtaining money under false pretences,Unlawful dispossession of land and Other related criminal acts punishable under the Criminal Laws of Delta State.

After the charges were read in open court, Barr. M. F. Anthony, counsel representing the Inspector-General of Police, informed the court that he was surprised by the absence of both the defendants and their legal representatives—despite evidence of proper service of the court processes on them.

He stated that the defendants had allegedly engaged in various strategies to evade service, which compelled the court to approve substituted service. Even after this, they still failed to appear.

Counsel further informed the court that all relevant processes had been duly filed and that the prosecution was ready to proceed.

He therefore urged the court to issue a bench warrant to compel the defendants’ attendance, relying on Section 273(1) of the Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) and the authority in Attorney-General of the Federation v. Yahaya Bello.

In his ruling, Hon. Justice Akpotohwo granted the prosecution’s application and ordered the immediate arrest of Chief Lucky Favour Abuah (a.k.a. Bullet) and the other defendants. The judge directed that the defendants be apprehended wherever they are found and remanded in police custody until the next adjourned date.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to January 15, 2026, for the defendants to take their pleas.