On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Hathiramani Ranesh, Managing Director of Dana Air, over his alleged involvement in a N13 billion fraud case.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu called for Ranesh’s arrest after he reportedly failed to appear in court to respond to a six-count charge brought by the Federal Government.
The judge based this order on section 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, emphasizing that Ranesh was required to attend court proceedings.
Justice Egwuatu declared, “The 1st defendant must appear before the court, and if not, a warrant can be issued.” He added, “Based on legal provisions, I hereby issue an arrest warrant for the 1st defendant, who must attend court on January 13, 2025.”
Though Ranesh did not appear in court, he appointed lawyer Mr B. Ademola-Bello to submit an objection against the charges and the court’s jurisdiction.
However, the prosecution, represented by Mojisola-Okeya Esho, argued that a plea must first be entered before addressing preliminary objections.
In this case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/101/2021, the Federal Government has named Ranesh, Dana Group PLC, and Dana Steel Ltd as defendants. Authorities allege that the defendants, between September and December 2018, conspired to remove and sell industrial generators valued at over N450 million from the Dana Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina. The equipment had reportedly been collateral for a bond.
Additional charges claim that, in April 2014, the defendants diverted N864 million from Ecobank funds intended to revive the factory, instead using it for unauthorized purposes.
They are also accused of transferring N60.3 million to a separate account, similarly misappropriating funds intended for the factory’s operations.
The total amount allegedly involved in the charges is N1.37 billion, with violations falling under Section 516 of Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
At the Monday hearing, the defence noted that Ranesh was out of the country and that other defendants are corporations under his management. Unsatisfied, Justice Egwuatu ordered Ranesh’s arrest to ensure his presence at the next court date.