From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
A Delta State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ibusa, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state has issued a warrant for the arrest of an alleged self styled king, Mr. Rueben Raleigh Ogode.
The warrant was issued after Ogode failed to appear before the court on the adjourned date even when his counsel was available.
Before now, the court had obliged his counsel an adjournment on the ground of alleged ill health, and ordered the counsel to take the Registrar of the Court to the hospital bed to sight the defendant.
But the defendant’s counsel failed to comply with the order of the court.
At the resumed hearing the prosecutor applied to the court for the issuance of a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant and to bring him before the court to face his trial.
The application was granted by the court for lack of any cogent reasons for the absence of the defendant.
Ogode is facing trial for unlawfully installing and parading himself as a traditional ruler within Ughievwen Kingdom.
His action is said to be contrary to the Traditional Rulers Council and Chieftaincy law of the state.
He was initially charged to the Magistrate Court, Otu-Jeremi before the charge was transferred to the Chief Magistrate Court, Ibusa.
The matter was adjourned to January 18, 2021 for further hearing.