The trial of Michael Ukiye Diongoli and UK Dion Investment Limited for allegedly diverting over N3.6 billion investment funds belonging to the public has hit a snag, as the defendants failed to appear before Justice Zainab Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
During the arraignment on Tuesday, the representative of the Attorney General’s office, Mr. Moshood Adeyemi, applied for a new date and a criminal summon to ensure the accused appeared in court on June 19th for the commencement of the trial.
The accused, including UK Dion Group and UK-Dion Investment Limited, all of No. 21 Buhari Street, Peace Court Estate, Lokogoma, Abuja, are facing two-count charges for conspiracy and felony.
According to the charges, the accused and their staff conspired to divert investment funds to the tune of over N3.6 billion belonging to the public, including Basil Onugu, Elizabeth Umenwa Nwankwo, Adetoun Sokoni, Ezeogu Victoria Ndozi, and others.
Justice Abubakar raised a question as to why the matter was being heard in Abuja, given that the defendant is presently residing in Lagos. However, the court was informed that most of the victims of the crime are resident in Abuja and environs.
Adeyemi expressed concern over the absence of the defendants and 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.”
