KEY POINTS
- Hathiramani Ranesh failed to appear in court.
- The fraud case involves N1.3 billion in charges.
- Arrest warrant requires Ranesh in court January 13.
After Hathiramani Ranesh, the managing director of Dana Air, failed to show up for his trial in an ongoing fraud case, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest.
Judge issues warrant for Ranesh’s arrest
Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi submitted an application asking the court to take action, and on Monday, Judge Obiora Egwuatu, who oversees the case, issued the arrest warrant. The AGF has charged Ranesh with six offences, including allegedly participating in a N1.3 billion scam.
The charges are related to a case with the case number FHC/ABJ/CR/101/2021, in which Dana Steel Limited and Dana Group PLC are named as co-defendants. Ranesh is the managing director of both businesses and is in charge of them. After Ranesh did not show up for his planned arraignment, AGF attorney Mojisola Okeya filed an oral application on October 10 to have him arrested.
Enquiring about Ranesh’s absence from his defence attorney, Ademola Bello, during the court session, Judge Egwuatu became irritated. The court enquired, “What is the reason for the defendants’ absence?”
According to Business Day, Bello stressed that the two co-defendant firms are statutory organisations managed by Ranesh and told the court that Ranesh was abroad of the country at the time. He added that before starting the trial, the court ought to resolve jurisdictional concerns brought up in their preliminary objections.
Judge Egwuatu, who was clearly upset, questioned the court’s respect. “Are we having fun? “When the people you are defending are not present in court, where is the respect for the court?” he said.
Court demands Ranesh appear by January 2025
Bello responded by requesting that the court follow the rules of section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which establishes criteria for criminal procedures.
Egwuatu, however, dismissed the defense’s argument and mandated that Ranesh’s detention be warranted. The judge declared, “The court may issue a warrant for the first defendant’s arrest if he fails to appear in court.”
Egwuatu also underlined that before any legal objections can be entertained, Ranesh needs to show up in court. In light of the aforementioned clause, I hereby issue a warrant for the first defendant’s arrest. Before any objections may be raised, the defendant must appear before this court on January 13, 2025,” he stated.
