Police Seek Court Order to Arrest Andy Uba Over N400m Job Scam
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has officially requested the Federal High Court in Abuja to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of former senator Andy Uba in connection with an alleged N400 million job scam.
According to documents obtained by PulseNets, the police are seeking to apprehend Uba and present him before the court to face trial. The IGP made the request on Wednesday after Uba repeatedly failed to appear for arraignment on charges of appointment fraud.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who is handling the case, had earlier fixed Wednesday for Uba’s arraignment alongside his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu, who once represented Anambra South in the Senate. When the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024 was called, Uba’s counsel, C.L Odiniru, apologised for his absence and explained that the ex-lawmaker is currently ill and receiving treatment in the United States.
Prosecuting counsel, Aminu Abdullahi, however, told PulseNets that this is not the first time sickness has been cited without proof. He noted that, in earlier hearings, the defence had offered similar excuses without providing any medical evidence to back Uba’s claims. Abdullahi urged the court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the former senator.
Defense counsel Odiniru opposed the application and, following the court’s directive, claimed to have now obtained documents confirming that Uba is undergoing treatment abroad. Abdullahi responded that granting the bench warrant was in the best interest of justice.
Justice Umar, visibly displeased with Uba’s continued absence, warned that the court will not tolerate further delays. “I am giving you another chance by setting a fresh date. This matter must be concluded this year. If the defendant fails to appear, this court will not hesitate to issue a bench warrant for his arrest,” Justice Umar said. The case was adjourned until October 28, 2025, for Uba and Etu to enter their pleas.
PulseNets recalls that on March 5, 2025, prosecutors amended the original two-count charge previously filed against Uba and Etu before suspended trial judge Justice Inyang Ekwo. Initially, Uba, Crystal Uba, and Benjamin Etu were listed as defendants under charge FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024 filed October 10, 2024, by Abdulrashid Sidi of the Legal and Prosecution Section at Police Force Headquarters, Abuja. The amended charge, submitted March 4, 2025, retained only Uba and Etu, while Crystal Uba’s name was dropped.
In the first count, investigators alleged that Uba, Etu, and one Hajiya Fatima—who is currently at large—conspired in 2022 to defraud businessman George Uboh. The accused allegedly obtained by false pretence N400 million after claiming they could secure him an appointment as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission. The charge stated, “A presentation which you know to be false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Also Read: Andy Uba— Authentic Ministerial List to Be Unveiled Today — Akpabio’s Aide
PulseNets learnt from Uboh’s petition to the IGP, dated April 5, 2023, that he provided documentary evidence and a voice recording to substantiate his claims. Uboh emphasised that the evidence against the ex-senator is “overwhelming and irrefutable.”
At least six witnesses have been lined up to testify against Andy Uba and Benjamin Etu when the trial resumes. The case was reassigned to Justice Umar following the National Judicial Council’s suspension of Justice Ekwo.
