There was a mild drama at an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Special Offences Court today, as an accused, Edwin Igbafe, in a bid to evade arraignment, took to his heel from the premises of the court.

Igbafe, a 31-year-old teacher, was to be arraigned for defiling and impregnating his 16-year-old student (name withheld) in 2015.

When the case was called, Igbafe who is on bail from the Magistrate Court for the alleged offence did not come forward to the dock.

The State Prosecutor, Ms I. Solarin, who was visibly perplexed,  searching the faces in the courtroom, told the court, “I saw Igbafe and his mother in court and even spoke with them before proceedings started,” she said.

Igbafe also did not have any legal representation in court.

Following the development, a furious Justice Sybil Nwaka,  ordered that the courthouse be searched for the runaway defendant.

Mr Gbenga Alagbe, a member of the prosecution team, went to search the premises for Igbafe and his mother while Justice Nwaka stood down the case to hear other cases.

When Alagbe returned he informed Justice Nwaka that he had searched all the nooks and crannies of  the courthouse and could not find the defendant.

Upon hearing this, Justice Nwaka revoked Igbafe’s bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

“In view of the absence of the defendant, a bench warrant is issued and his sureties must show cause,” the judge said.

According to the charge sheet, Igbafe committed the offence in September 2014 at Nunber 6, Adeola Street, Ijesha,  Surulere,  Lagos.

He allegedly defiled his 16-year-old student by having unlawful canal knowledge with her.

Igbafe’s alleged sexual encounter with the underaged student resulted in a pregnancy.

According to the charge, the offence violated Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

Justice Nwaka adjourned the case until May 15 for arraignment.