Court Orders Arrest of Cletus Ibeto in Alleged N4.8bn Fraud Case

The Lagos High Court situated in the Ikeja area has issued a warrant for the arrest of Cletus Ibeto, Chairman and CEO of Ibeto Energy Development Company, due to his alleged failure to appear in court to face charges related to a 4.8 billion Naira fraud case.

The arrest order was issued by Justice Ismail Ijelu following a motion presented by Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, the counsel representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Jacobs informed the court that Ibeto had consistently refused to attend court proceedings despite receiving multiple hearing notices.

The EFCC had filed charges against Cletus Ibeto, along with his companies, Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings Ltd, concerning a purported 4.8 billion Naira fraud. The charges include conspiracy, fraud, forgery, and fraudulent use of documents.

The defendant’s arraignment had previously been postponed on September 28 and October 5, citing the defendant’s absence due to illness, with legal representation in his place.

However, on the most recent court date, a different counsel, Dada Awosika, SAN, appeared on behalf of Ibeto, claiming that the defendant was still unwell and unable to attend court. In response to this, Rotimi Jacobs, EFCC Counsel, urged the court to issue a bench warrant for the businessman’s arrest.

Jacobs pointed out that the defendant was in Lagos, and the EFCC could have apprehended him if the court had granted the necessary order. He emphasized that it was essential for senior lawyers not to waste the court’s time, urging the court to grant the warrant of arrest to compel Ibeto’s appearance.

In his ruling, Justice Ijelu expressed his dissatisfaction with the defense counsel’s failure to provide a compelling reason for an adjournment, stressing that the court existed to dispense justice and not for frivolous matters. He noted that senior counsel had previously promised the defendant’s appearance, and in the absence of a substantial excuse, a bench warrant was issued against Cletus Ibeto.

The case has been adjourned to November 15 for the arraignment of the defendant.