1 week ago
16
By Lukman Olabiyi
Justice C. Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has set 17 March 2025 to rule on various applications challenging its jurisdiction to hear a 13-count charge filed against Oba Otudeko, the former chairman of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), and three others over alleged fraud.
The ruling follows arguments presented by counsel representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the defendants.
While Otudeko was absent from court, Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, the former group managing director of FBN, and Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell Flour Mills PLC, were present.
Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) appeared for the prosecution, while Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Oladipo Shasore (SAN), Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), and Ade Adedeji (SAN) represented the first to fourth defendants. Additionally, Mr Jide Koku (SAN) announced his appearance for the complainant, First Bank.
Chief Olanipekun informed the court that Otudeko had filed an application dated 28 January 2025, explaining his absence.
The application stated that Otudeko left Nigeria on 16 January 2025 for medical treatment in the United Kingdom, arriving at Heathrow Airport the next day. Olanipekun emphasised that Otudeko had lawfully left the country and did not abscond.
In response, Oyedepo reminded the court that the matter had been adjourned for the arraignment of the defendants and that the prosecution had complied with the court’s directive to serve the defendants by substituted means.
Counsel for the second, third, and fourth defendants, including Ogunwumiju (SAN), Adedeji (SAN), and Shasore (SAN), argued that the court should first hear their application challenging its jurisdiction before proceeding with the case.
Specifically, Ogunwumiju, in his application dated 10 February 2025, requested the court to quash or decline jurisdiction over counts 1 to 10, alleging abuse of judicial process and a lack of prima facie evidence.
EFCC prosecutor Oyedepo countered, stating that the allegations in the 13-count charge stemmed from a detailed investigation, revealing that the first and second defendants colluded to defraud First Bank.
He asserted that the charge was filed in accordance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and that there was no requirement for the prosecution to file an affidavit confirming the completion of an investigation before filing charges.
Following the submissions of counsel, Justice Aneke adjourned the case till 17 March for ruling.
English (US) ·