JUST IN: Court Orders Arrest Of 3 Nigerians In Benin Republic For Stealing Senator’s Jewelry, Others

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday ordered the arrest of Agoosa Benson, Hakari Rasool and Cisse Mohammed Hassan who were accused of breaking into the residence of former Senator Monsurat Sunmonu to steal sensitive documents, money, jewelry and other valuables.

The suspects are believed to be residing in Benin Republic.

Summonu represented Oyo Central Senatorial District from 2015 to 2019 and served as the Senate Committee Chairman on Foreign Affairs during the period.

Wisdom Madaki, the counsel for Police Force Headquarters, brought a motion exparte before Justice Obiora Egwuatu seeking “an order for the issuance of warrant of arrest against (x) Agoosa Benson, (y) Hakari Rasool and (z) Cisse Mohammed Hassan, for the purpose of compelling the attendance of the defendants to be tried in Nigeria.”

In the court documents seen by our correspondent, Madaki accused the defendants of being involved in an orchestrated crime on 13 August 2021 that led to the burgling, looting and stealing of the Senator’s sensitive documents.

“Sometime on 13 August 2021, the defendants entered her bedroom and went away with sensitive official documents, jewelry, watches and money.

“The security guards stationed at the Senator’s property have been arrested and were undergoing interrogation.

“From available intelligence, the defendants have been traced to the Republic of Benin,” the motion partly read without clearly stating the address of the incident.

The lawyer stated that a valid warrant of arrest issued by a Court of law in Nigeria was a prerequisite for the extradition of the Defendants to Nigeria to face trial in a Nigerian court.

“It is expedient to arrest and bring the defendants to Nigeria for interrogation especially with the sensitive security documents carted away by the defendants.

“The Defendants have committed offences triable by a Nigerian court and will be charged under a Criminal Code Act.

“This court has the jurisdiction to issue a warrant of arrest to meet an extradition request to compel their attendance,” the motion reads.

In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu said he was convinced with the complainant’s argument.

“A warrant of arrest is issued for the purpose of compelling their attendance for trial in Nigeria,” he ruled.