The District Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of former Nanyang Brothers Tobacco Company chairman Lu Dayong who failed to appear in court today to face graft and fraud charges. Lu had been released on $3-million bail.

Co-defendants, Hang Chun Trade Development director Ko Kit and Hang Chun sales manager Chan Kai-san had their cases adjourned to tomorrow.

Lu, Ko and Chan, aged 60, 39 and 40, are charged with conspiring to accept bribes from Mainland cigarette buyers from March 2003 to February 2004, and to defraud Nanyang Brothers through Lu's interests in Hang Chun from November 2003 to February 2004.

Lu and Ko are also charged with conspiring to accept advantages from two people between December 2002 and February 2004.

Anyone with information on Lu's whereabouts should call investigators on 2526 6366.