By Kenneth Atavti
Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for the Managing Director of Dana Air, Mr Hathiramani Ranesh, due to his alleged failure to appear in court.
The Attorney General of the Federation had filed a six-count charge against Ranesh and two others.
In count one, Ranesh and the two companies, alongside others at large, were alleged to have committed a felony between September and December 2018 within the premises of DANA Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina.
They were alleged to have conspired to remove, convert and sell four units of industrial generators “i.e. three (3) units Ht of 9,000 KVA and 1 unit of 1,000 KVA; all valued at over N450 million, which form part of the Deed of Asset Debenture that were charged as collateral security for a bond issued in your favour, which Deed is still subsisting at all material times.”
In count three, the defendants and others at large at House No. 116, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Isolo-Lagos between April 7th and 8th, 2014, were alleged to have conspired to fraudulently divert the sum of N864 million.
The money was said to be part of the bond proceeds from Ecobank meant for the resuscitation of production at Dana Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina for other unapproved uses.
In count five, the defendants and others at large were alleged to have “conspired to fraudulently remove and transfer to one Atlantic Shrimpers Account No: 0001633175 with Access Bank and divert the sum of N60,300,000 (Sixty Million Three Hundred Thousand Naira).”
Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled that Ranesh’s arrest was necessary after he was served with charges and failed to attend multiple court proceedings.
The judge held that according to Section 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the court is authorized to issue an arrest warrant for any defendant who does not show up.
Justice Egwuatu stated, “The 1st defendant is bound to appear before the court, and if he does not, the court can issue a warrant for his arrest.”
Consequently, he issued a warrant for Ranesh’s arrest, requiring him to appear in court on January 13, 2025, before any objections can be addressed.
The case has been adjourned until that date for further hearing.
The Federal Government’s attorney, Mojisola-Okeya Esho, had previously requested the bench warrant, citing Ranesh’s absence in connection with a N1.3 billion fraud case against him.
However, defence lawyer, B. Ademola-Bello contended that they had filed a preliminary objection regarding the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case, which had already been served to the prosecution.
Esho opposed the preliminary objection, asserting that the defendants should be present.
Justice Egwuatu, who gave his ruling, ordered that Ranesh be arrested and brought to the court on the next adjourned date.