………As Defendant Absent At Arraignment

Following the failure of Michael Ukiye Diongoli and UK Dion Investment Limited to appear in court, the prosecution has applied to Justice Zainab Abubakar to issue a criminal summon to ensure the accused appears in court on June 19^th for commencement of trial. 

When the matter came up for arraignment Tuesday, the defendant was not available in court prompting the representative of the Attorney Generals’ office, Mr. Moshood Adeyemi to request a new date as well as a criminal summon.

In the two count charge brought against Michael Ukiye Diongoli, UK Dion Group And UK –Dion Investment Limited all of No. 21 Buhari Street, Peace Court Estate, Lokogoma, Abuja, they are alleged to have on or between the year 2021 and 2022 within the jurisdiction of the honourable court did commit a felony to wit: conspired among themselves together with their staff to do an illegal act – diversion of investment funds to the tune of over N3.6billion belonging to the investing public which includes Basil Onugu, Elizabeth Umenwa Nwankwo, Adetoun Sokoni, Ezeogu Victoria Ndozi and others you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of Criminal Code Act, laws of the Federation, 2004.

“That you Michael Ukiye Diongoli, UK Dion Group And UK –Dion Investment Limited all of No. 21 Buhari Street Peace Court Estate, Lokogoma, Abuja, they are alleged to have on or between the year 2021 and 2022 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High and together with your other staff, did commit a felony to wit: diverted investment funds to the tune of over N3.6billion belonging to the investing public which includes Basil Onugu, Elizabeth Umenwa Nwankwo, Adetoun Sokoni, Ezeogu Victoria Ndozi and others you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383(2) F of Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 390(7) of the same Act.

 Justice Abubakar sought to know why the matter was being heard in Abuja when the defendant is currently resident in Lagos and the court was informed that most of the victims of the crime are resident in Abuja and environs.

Making the application for a new date, Adeyemi said, “The defendants were duly served the court processes since March 31, 2023, I do not know why they have failed to turn up in court today. I hereby wish to apply for Another date for the arraignment and also apply for a criminal summon to ensure that the accused appears in court”.