TheCable

A federal high court in Abuja has granted leave to the Nigeria police force to paste court processes at the “last known” residence of Ikedi Ohakim, former governor of Imo state.

The inspector-general of police (IGP) had preferred a five-count charge against Ohakim and one Chinedu Okpareke for harassing one Chinyere Amuchienwa and threatening to release her nude photos.

At the court session on Wednesday, Stanley Nwodo, prosecution counsel, complained about the continuous absence of the former governor.

He made an oral application seeking the leave of court to serve the processes at 60, Kwame Nkruma street, Asokoro, Abuja, which he said is the last known address of the former governor.

“The first defendant is in court but the second defendant is not in court. However, we tried serving the second defendant personally by the bailiff of this court which proved abortive,” Nwodo said.

“Premised on this, I seek the leave of this court to serve the second defendant by substituted means so as to paste the processes at his last known address.”

Emeka Etiaba, counsel to Okpareke, did not oppose the application.

“The earlier the second defendant is brought to court, the better for everybody, because we are desirous of this matter to be brought to an end,” Etiaba said.

Taiwo Taiwo, the presiding judge, granted the application of the prosecution.

The case has been adjourned till March 18 for the arraignment of the defendants.