The Federal High Court sitting in Benin City has ordered the publication of a public summons compelling Jessica Iguodala Oghomwen to appear before it on or before March 12, 2026, to answer to charges bordering on alleged money laundering, operating a financial institution without licence, and aiding the suicide of Lilian Omokhuale, daughter of Omoruyi Oloton, Chief Executive Officer of Uyi Technical Limited.

Justice B. O. Quadri granted the order following an ex-parte motion moved by the prosecutor, P. O. Odion following an amended charge in suit with Charge No. FHC/B/5C/2024.

The court directed that the public summons be published in two national newspapers, including, The Nigerian Observer and Vanguard and that a copy be pasted on the notice board of the Federal High Court, Sapele Road, Benin City.

The application was supported by a written address, a nine-paragraph affidavit and a warrant of arrest earlier issued on November 19, 2024.

In the affidavit, the prosecutor averred that Oghomwen failed to appear before the court to take her plea, prompting the issuance of a warrant of arrest to compel her attendance.

He further stated that the defendant has since absconded and is allegedly concealing herself to frustrate execution of the warrant.
Arguing the motion, Odion cited Section 41 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2025, which empowers a court to publish a public summons where it has reason to believe that a suspect against whom a warrant of arrest has been issued has absconded or is in hiding, making execution of the warrant impossible.

The section provides that such summons shall require the person to appear at a specified place and time not less than 30 days from the date of publication.

In the amended charge dated February 9, 2026, which was substituted for an earlier charge dated May 22, 2025 Jessica and others now at large were charged on a six count charge bordering on money laundering.

According to the charge sheet, they were said to have sometime in 2020 in Benin City conspired to commit money laundering, an offence punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

They were also said to have concealed or disguised the origin of funds, intentionally, which they ought to know to be proceeds of unlawful activities, operating specialised or other businesses or financial institutions without valid license.

The defendants were also said to have conspired to aid the suicide of one Lilian Omokhuale, the daughter of Omoruyi Oloton, the daughter of the CEO of Uyi Technical Limited.

The case was however adjourned till March 9, 2026