Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court issued a bench warrant for businessman Chief Cletus Ibeto’s arrest after he failed to appear in court for his arraignment. Ibeto is facing allegations of an N4.8 billion fraud, including charges of obtaining by pretences, fraudulent conversion of property, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and deception. The court dismissed objections to the warrant, emphasizing that jurisdictional matters should not be used to delay justice. The case is adjourned to November 15, 2023, for arraignment.
Key Points:
- Businessman Chief Cletus Ibeto is facing allegations of an N4.8 billion fraud, including various charges related to deception and breach of trust.
- Ibeto failed to appear in court for his arraignment, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.
- The defense cited health issues and raised objections, including jurisdictional matters, but the court ruled that the defendant must take his plea before addressing other issues.
- The bench warrant application was granted, and the case is adjourned to November 15, 2023, for arraignment.
Impact: The issuance of a bench warrant for Chief Cletus Ibeto’s arrest underscores the seriousness of the allegations against him. The case has significant legal implications, and the court’s decision to proceed with the arrest warrant indicates the importance of timely and fair legal proceedings. This development will be closely watched by legal experts and individuals following the case. Ibeto, a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist, is the founder and Chairman of Ibeto Group, a major conglomerate in the Eastern part of Nigeria.
