The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday gave Senator Andy Uba the “last opportunity” to appear for the alleged N400 million fraud arraignment proceedings filed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Justice Mohammed Umar said this after expressing dissatisfaction with the repeated medical grounds cited by Barrister C.F. Odiniru on behalf of Uba.

Naijaonpoint previously reported that in its amended charge, the prosecution accused Uba, Benjamin Etu, and another person of obtaining money by false pretence, alleging they presented Mr. George Uboh with a claim that they could secure the appointment of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for any interested person able to pay N400 million.

In count one of the charge, Uba, Etu, and Hajiya Fatima (now at large) allegedly conspired in 2022 to commit the offence.

“A presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006,” the charge partly reads.

According to the prosecution, George Uboh, the nominal complainant, stated in a letter dated April 5, 2023, addressed to the IGP, that the petition and allegations were based on documentary evidence and voice recordings.

He cited evidence, with about six witnesses listed to testify against the ex-lawmaker and Etu.

At previous adjourned dates before the court, the prosecution lawyer informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation approved the prosecution of the suspects, while Uba maintained he was sick.

At the resumed proceedings, A.M. Abdullahi, counsel to the IGP, said the prosecution cannot understand the constant medical reasons given by Uba without providing any cogent evidential ground.

“Today he (Odiniru) is saying the same thing. Ever since the matter was filed, the first defendant (Uba) has not appeared,” he said.

Odiniru opposed the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant, adding he has consistently informed the court that Uba was unwell and was out of the country (in the United States).

Responding to parties, Justice Mohammed Umar queried Odiniru’s line of submission, asking, “Are you saying that we should wait for him(Uba) for like ten years? Have you seen where someone is brought to court on a stretcher?”

“If by the next adjourned date he (Uba) refuses to come, whatever it takes to make him come, we will do that.

“I give you the last opportunity by giving you another date. This case must be heard this year,” the judge told Odiniru.

The case was subsequently adjourned to October 28, 2025, for plea.