By Alex Enumah
Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Wednesday, ordered the service of a suit bordering on alleged harassment on former Imo State Governor, Mr Ikedi Ohakim, through substituted means.
Justice Taiwo made the order in response to complaints by the prosecuting counsel, Mr Stanley Nwodo, that Ohakim was evading service of court summons since he got wind of the suit.
Ohakim and one Chinedu Okpareke were in the suit accused of threatening one Mrs Chinyere Amuchienwa.
However, in a short ruling, the court held that the summons for the former governor be pasted at his Abuja residence, No. 60 Kwame Nkrumah Str. Asokoro.
“At today’s hearing, only the second defendant is in court so the arraignment is stalled. I agree with the second defendant that the earlier the first defendant is brought to court, the better.
“I consider the application made by the prosecutor that the processes be served by substituted means at the last known address of the second defendant.
“The order sought for substituted service is hereby ordered as prayed,” the judge ruled.
Justice Taiwo adjourned the matter until March 18 for arraignment.
Ohakim and Okpareke were dragged to the Federal High Court by the police over allegations of threatening and harassing Mrs Amuchienwa.
According to the charge number FHC/ABJ/CS/287/2020, the two defendants are said to have threatened to release nude photographs of Amuchienwa, if she fails to drop charges of attempted kidnap against them.
In the five-count charge dated November 25, 2020, the police alleged that the defendants knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication through a computer system to harass and bully Amuchienwa.
According to the charge, the offence is punishable under Section 24(1)(a) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.
