On January 22, 2025, Justice Ibironke Harrison of the Lagos State High Court at Tafa Balewa Square issued bench warrants for the arrest of several defendants who failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment. The individuals and entities include Balmoral International Limited, DDSS International Company Limited, and Adejare Adegbenro.
The Lagos State government has brought forth a four-count charge against the defendants, encompassing conspiracy, stealing, and attempted theft. Prosecution counsel Uthman Rilwan informed the court that, despite being duly served with notices, the defendants were absent from the proceedings. He detailed that on or about September 2, 2013, at Plot 1261, Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, the defendants allegedly conspired to commit theft. Specifically, Adejare, Balmoral, Access Bank, and Bolaji Agbede are accused of unlawfully using property belonging to MOB Integrated Services, located at Plot 40B, Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, as collateral for a loan without the owner’s consent, subsequently leading to a consent judgment.
Further allegations state that on May 26, 2019, the defendants attempted to steal the same property by offering and granting DDSS International Company Limited a credit facility of N1 billion. These actions are purported to contravene Sections 411, 280, and 21 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.
In light of the defendants’ absence, Rilwan requested the court to issue bench warrants to ensure their attendance in future proceedings. Consequently, Justice Harrison ordered the arrest of the second to fifth defendants—Balmoral International Limited, Access Bank, Bolaji Agbede, and DDSS International Company Limited—and directed that the warrants be executed against their principal officers. The case has been adjourned to February 24, 2025, for arraignment.
This development underscores the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that defendants face charges levied against them. The issuance of bench warrants serves as a stern reminder of the legal obligations of individuals and corporate entities to comply with court proceedings.
