Justice Abdullahi Mikailu of Niger State High Court II has issued a bench warrant against the directors of North South Power Company and Stanbic IBTC Bank.
The warrant stems from a criminal case filed by the Niger State Internal Revenue Services (NSIRS) due to the companies' failure to pay statutory taxes.
The NSIRS had served notice to both companies, but their directors failed to appear in court for the scheduled hearing. Representing the companies, counsel Yusuf Koroka was unable to provide satisfactory reasons for their absence.
Justice Mikailu invoked Section 252 of the Niger State Judicial Justice Law, authorising the issuance of the bench warrant. The case has been adjourned to the 10th of this month.
Yusuf Koroka, counsel for the defendants, opposed the lead counsel of NSIRS, Aliyu Ibrahim Lemu, who called for the bench warrant. Koroka argued that Lemu did not specify the directors to be served the warrant, emphasising that such a move would be excessive. He attributed the directors' absence to a strike action that disrupted communication.
Aliyu Ibrahim Lemu, lead counsel for NSIRS, emphasised that the companies deliberately avoided paying their statutory tax. To ensure compliance, NSIRS explored all avenues, including the bench warrant. Lemu confirmed that efforts would be made to serve the warrant, leading to the directors' arrest and their appearance in court for the next hearing.