EFCC THREATENS BENCH WARRANT AS NWEKE MISSES COURT FOR SECOND TIME

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The scheduled arraignment of businessman Ifeanyi Nweke and his company, Field Dreams Limited, was stalled for the second time on Friday before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja due to the defendant’s continued absence from court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), prosecuting the matter on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, expressed frustration over what it described as Nweke’s deliberate evasion of justice. EFCC counsel, Franklin Ofoma, informed the court that the defendant had previously jumped administrative bail and has since refused to honour multiple invitations.

“This is not the first time the defendant has failed to appear,” Ofoma stated. “He has absconded after being granted bail by the Commission and is deliberately evading trial.”

Nweke and his firm, Field Dreams Limited, are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal, obtaining money by false pretence, and unlawful retention of stolen funds.

According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conspired in 2021 to defraud a businessman, Gbbolahan Odutayo, of over ₦132 million and unlawfully retained another ₦1.12 billion — all allegedly acquired under false pretences.

The first count accuses the defendants of conspiracy to steal, contrary to Section 411 and punishable under Section 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2015. The second count alleges obtaining money by false pretence, an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. The remaining two counts involve the unlawful retention of ₦132.3 million and ₦1.12 billion, respectively, in violation of Section 328(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

Justice Oshodi, noting the defendant’s absence, adjourned the matter until September 15, 2025, for arraignment and for Nweke to appear in person to take his plea.

The EFCC has signaled its intention to apply for a bench warrant should Nweke fail to appear at the next sitting.