A federal high court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant against Hathiramani Ranesh, managing director of Dana Air, over his refusal to appear in court for trial.
The presiding judge, Obiora Egwuatu, issued the warrant on Monday while ruling on an application brought by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, against the defunct airline’s MD.
The AGF had filed six counts against Ranesh and two others.
In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/101/2021, Dana Group PLC and Dana Steel Limited are joined as second and third defendants, respectively.
On October 10, the AGF’s counsel, Mojisola Okeya, made an oral application for Ranesh’s arrest over his refusal to appear for his arraignment in the alleged N1.3bn fraud case.
“Why are the defendants absent?” Egwuatu asked about Ranesh’s whereabouts from his lawyer, Ademola Bello.
The defence lawyer replied that he (Ranesh) was not in the country, adding that the other two defendants are statutory bodies of which Ranesh is their MD.
The counsel further said the jurisdictional issues raised in their preliminary objection should first be addressed.
Reacting to the lawyer’s response, “Are we playing here? Where is the respect for the court when the people you are defending are not in court?” the judge angrily asked.
However, the lawyer responded with section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, saying, “We urge the court to be guided by this provision.”
Egwuatu ordered that Ranesh be arrested and brought to the court on the next adjourned date.
“The 1st defendant is bound to appear before the court and if he does not, the court can issue a warrant for his arrest.
“Accordingly, relying on the said provision, I hereby issue a warrant of arrest for the arrest of the 1st defendant.
“The defendant shall appear before this court on January 13, 2025, before any objection can be taken,” Egwuatu said.
