A High Court sitting in Jos has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a former Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Honorable John Dabwan.

Justice Felomina Lot gave the directive on Monday after revoking the bail she granted Dabwan in a case of issuance of a dud cheque in the sum of N3.8 million.

Non-appearance

Dabwan allegedly issued the cheque to a Jos-based businessman, Theophilus Omhagie.

”The accused was granted bail in this case based on self-recognition, but he has failed to show up or send any representative.

”His refusal to come to court in this matter goes to show that the accused has no respect or regard for the court; it is indeed a slap on this honourable court.

”I hereby revoke the bail earlier granted to him and order for his immediate arrest and hand over to the nearest police station,’’ Lot said.

NAN reports that the prosecution had submitted that Omhagie offered services to Dabwan in 2016.

Cheque

E. A. Inbgbenoine, the prosecution counsel told the court that Dabwan issued a Sterling Bank cheque to Omhagie on Oct. 3, 2016.

He said that the cheque was linked to an account number, 1001389536, adding that the former speaker instructed that the cheque should be presented on Oct. 4, 2016.

”However, on presenting the N3.8 million cheque accross the counter, it turned out to be a dud cheque,” the prosecution counsel said.

Inbgbenoine said that the complainant reported the case to the police after many failed attempts to get Dabwan to pay him.

Bail

Dabwan had appeared before the court without any counsel on arraignment in January.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was granted bail on self-recognition.

The former speaker, however, failed to show up in court on other adjourned dates.

The case has been adjourned until June 20 for further hearing.

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Court Orders Arrest Of Former Plateau Speaker Dabwan