The Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday rejected an application by Lagos State Attorney General, Lawal Pedro, to completely halt the trial of Olalekan Abdul and another defendant, who are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for an alleged N1.35 billion fraud.
Justice Mojisola Dada dismissed 20 of the 26 charges brought against the defendants by the state but ordered the continuation of their trial on five related charges filed by the EFCC.
During the proceedings, a brief exchange occurred, with the judge accusing the defence counsel of disrespecting the court, though the lawyer denied any wrongdoing. The case was adjourned to October 31, 2024, for the continuation of the trial.
The Attorney General had previously sought to discontinue the case after a failed attempt to take over prosecution. The court had earlier ruled that the defendants had a case to answer and that the EFCC could proceed with the prosecution.
The defendants were initially charged in December 2019 with 26 counts of conspiracy, forgery, and stealing, accused of conspiring with two others, currently at large, to fraudulently obtain N350 million and N1 billion from Wema Bank. They pleaded not guilty and were granted bail after their arraignment in January 2020.
At yesterday’s hearing, the court ruled on a preliminary objection filed by the prosecution, concerning the Attorney General’s notice to discontinue the case, which cited Section 211 of the Constitution.
Justice Dada discharged both defendants from the 20 counts filed under Lagos State laws, but ruled that they must continue their defence on the remaining six charges brought under the Advance Fee Fraud Act and the EFCC Act.
(Vanguard)
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