Court orders arrest of fugitive kingpin who forged SAN Agabi’s document to secure his release
Agabi disowns letter
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The Magistrate Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has issued a Warrant of Arrest for a fugitive kingpin, Francis Odinawor, a.k.a Francis Odinakose and/or Big Fish, who allegedly forged legal documents purportedly belonging to a respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Kanu Agabi to secure his release from custody.
Three lawyers, Ibrahim Ernest Ojochegbe Esq., Kanabilweze Esq., and D. I. Otutu Esq., had written a petition purportedly on behalf of Agabi & Associates to the Inspector General of Police and Deputy Inspector General of Police Johnson Kokumo to complain about the wanted declaration of Francis Odiakose.
News Band gathered that Big Fish was only recently declared wanted by the Delta State Commissioner of Police and the Department of Security council (DSS) in Delta State after he attempted to fraudulently use the letter to secure his release from custody at the Delta State Police Command headquarters.
Agabi disowns letter
Things took a sharp turn, however, when Agabi, who was a former Attorney General of the Federation, disowned the letter.
In the letter personally signed by the respected Senior Advocate Agabi notified that neither he nor his law chamber have entered appearance as Counsel for the wanted suspect.
He warned that neither the fugitive nor the mentioned lawyers have his authorisation and that whosoever might be transacting with them on the assumption that they may be acting for Agabi and/or his Associates does so at his/her own peril.
See the attached letter dated 15 August, 2022, below:
“To Whom it May Concern
Disclaimer from the office of Kanu G. Agabi (Con) San & Associates
Take notice that the office of Kanu G. Agabi (CON), SAN, & Associates and the person of Kanu G. Agabi, SAN, are in no way affiliated in the prosecution or defence of Suit No.: A/M/119/2022 between CHIBUZOR ANAYO V. STATE.
That Ibrahim Ernest Ojochegbe, Esq, Kanabilweze, Esq and D.I. Otutu, Esq who have entered appearance as Counsel in the above stated suit, are not under the employ of Kanu G. Agabi (CON), SAN, & Associates, neither do they have the authorization of the renowned Learned Silk, Kanu G. Agabi, SAN, to prosecute any suit on his behalf.
FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that whosoever might be transacting with either Ibrahim Ernest Ojochegbe, Esq, Kanabilweze, Esq or D.I. Otutu, Esq on the assumption that they be acting for Kanu G. Agabi (CON), SAN, & Associates, does so at his/her own peril, as the office or person of Kanu G. Agabi (SAN) shall not be held liable for whatever liabilities or duties as may arise from such misassumption.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Kanu G. Agabi (CON), SAN
Court strikes, revokes Odiakose’s bail
In addition to the recent WANTED declaration by the Delta State Police headquarters against Francis Oduwanor Odiakose and his brother Christopher Odiakose for terrorism, attempted murder and other charges, the courts in Delta State have also revoked his bail on gun running and illegal possession of firearms charges he is facing in the courts in the state.
His bail was revoked for failing to appear at several court dates for his criminal trial that has been going on for the past year.
See the attached documents:
Police sources said that Odiakose was arrested last week in the police headquarters in Abuja after he fled the state upon his being declared wanted.
He is said to have made his way to Abuja and used a letterhead from Kanu Agabi to write a petition against his being declared wanted.
He was reportedly invited by the DIG DOPs Bala Zama Senchi to interview him about his use of policemen to intimidate members of the public in Delta State.
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After an extensive interview by the DIG DOPS and his staff, the DIG cautioned him against his use of the police and also for parading himself as a traditional ruler despite documentations from the State Government stating he was not a Traditional ruler.
It was after the interview and report by the DIG to the Inspector General of Police that officers from the State Headquarters in Delta State arrested him and took him back to Delta State.
Despite his claims that he had made arrangements with some officers in Abuja to be returned back to Abuja to be released despite his court warrant for his revoked bail and also the warrants issued for the new charges he is facing, the suspect remains in the custody of the Delta state police.
News Band learned that some criminal minded lawyers in Delta State have previously used forged letters from the Kanu Agabi, SAN’s, chambers in their attempt to secure bail and release of suspects from the courts in the State.
These include suspected members of the gang of Francis Oduwanor such as Chibuzor Anayo and Jossey who were recently arrested by the Nigerian Army during an armed robbery incident and are currently facing trial in the High Court in Delta State.
Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom joins the fray
In a related development, Afrike Chambers, counsel to the Royal Palace of the Obi in Council of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, also in Delta State, his subjects and all the communities, have written the Inspector General of Police in Abuja
In the letter dated 16th August, 2022, the legal consultants reminded of the disclaimer from Chief Kanu Agabi disassociating himself and his office from any frivolous petitions, court processes and all other correspondences relating to Big Fish.
The letter, which was copied to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, FCID, asserted that the documents by the impersonators of Kanu Agabi and Associates are frivolous, vexatious null and void and urged them to use their good offices to ensure that the law should take its course on the impersonators and their clients.
The letter, signed by one Oshie Ugbor Tom, reads:
“Disclaimership over an ongoing investigation with the Special Enquiry Bureau (SEB)
“We are counsel to the Royal Palace of the Obi in Council of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, Delta State, his subjects and all the communities under his rulership hereafter referred to as our clients.
We respectfully wish to bring to your notice the above caption.
Please find attached a disclaimer from Chief Kanu Agabi (CON) SAN, the Principal, Kanu Agabi and Associates, disassociating himself and his office from any frivolous petitions, court processes and all other correspondences relating to one wanted suspect, Francis Odinawor a.k.a Francis Odinakose – big fish.
Sir, we urge your careful perusal bearing in mind that the same legal representation has been standing for Francis Odinawor a.k.a Francis Odinakose, a notorious kingpin and mastermind of series of banditry, terrorism, robbery, thuggery and other sorts of vices rocking the existence of lives and properties in Ogwashi-Uku and environs.
The said disclaimer is sequel to our letter dated 15th August, 2022, seeking clarification from the reputable office of the learned silk. Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN and his associates about the purported Asaba office. Please find attached the request for clarification.
In view of the said disclaimer, it has become imperative to assert that the documents by the impersonators of Kanu Agabi and Associates are frivolous, vexatious null and void.
We urge your good offices to treat same as such.
We further urge your good offices that the law should take its course on the impersonators and their clients.
Thank you.
