A Magistrate Court sitting in Osisioma Ngwa Magisterial District of Abia State has declared an accused person, Sampson Chikwado Wisdom, and his surety, Mr. Chika Kalu Onuoha, wanted following their alleged failure to appear before the court in an ongoing criminal matter.
This is coming after the court was informed that the defendant repeatedly failed to return to court to stand trial, while the surety allegedly failed to produce him despite undertaking responsibility for his appearance when bail was granted.
In a court order issued on Thursday, June 18, 2026, and signed by the presiding Magistrate, His Worship Young A. Omenka, the court authorized the publication of the photographs and information of both men across social and print media platforms.
The order arose from proceedings in Suit No. MOS/MISC/239C/2025, between the Commissioner of Police and Sampson Chikwado Wisdom.
Sampson Chikwado Wisdom is alleged to have obtained petroleum products valued at about N8.6m through a fake bank transfer alert.
Sources familiar with the matter alleged that the defendant deceived petroleum product sellers into believing payment had been successfully made through electronic transfer, after which he allegedly took possession of the products and disappeared without making genuine payment.
The allegation is one of the issues expected to be examined during the trial.
According to the court, the decision followed the “neglect and refusal” of the defendant to appear before the court to answer the criminal charges pending against him.
The court further noted that the surety, Mr. Chika Kalu Onuoha, not only failed to produce the defendant but also allegedly provided a false residential address during the bail process.
The application leading to the order was made by D.C. Lebechi., a Senior State Counsel in the Abia State Ministry of Justice, who urged the court to take necessary steps to ensure the defendant and his surety are brought before the law.
In the ruling, the Magistrate granted the prosecution leave to publish the identities and photographs of both men and to publicly declare them wanted by the court.
“It is hereby ordered that the defendant Sampson Chikwado Wisdom and his said surety Mr. Chika Kalu Onuoha’s pictures are to be published in all available social and print media,” part of the order stated.
The court further ruled that the prosecution is authorized to disseminate information indicating that both individuals are wanted by the court pending their appearance before the judicial authorities.
Under Nigerian law, sureties are expected to ensure that defendants appear for trial whenever required. Failure to do so can expose the surety to legal consequences, including forfeiture of bail bonds and other sanctions imposed by the court.
(The Whistler)
