Court Adjourns Andy Uba’s Arraignment Over Alleged N400 Million Fraud.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of former senator Andy Uba and his co-defendants to 17 March 2025, following delays in serving an amended charge on him.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution counsel, representing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), informed the court that the amended charge had yet to be served. Justice Inyang Ekwo, who presided over the case, noted that the previous order for substituted service did not cover the new charges.
Seeking more time, the prosecution requested the court’s indulgence to serve the second defendant and ensure the amended charge was delivered through substituted means. In response, Justice Ekwo directed the defence counsel for the second defendant to facilitate service outside the court premises to expedite the process. The case was subsequently adjourned for arraignment.
The latest adjournment follows a previous ruling on 5 March, when Justice Ekwo granted an ex parte application by the prosecution. This allowed charges to be served on Uba and his co-defendants by substituted means after complaints that they were evading service, despite having been granted administrative bail.
Uba, alongside Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu, faces a two-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024) for allegedly conspiring to defraud businessman George Uboh of N400 million. The defendants reportedly claimed they could secure Uboh an appointment as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The case originated from a petition dated 5 April 2023, in which Uboh submitted documentary and voice recordings as evidence against the accused persons.
The court is set to reconvene on 17 March 2025 for the arraignment of Uba and his co-defendants.
