Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned ruling on preliminary applications in the N6.2 billion fraud case involving Oba Otudeko, former chairman of First Bank Nigeria (FBN), and others, to March 17, 2025.
While Otudeko was absent from Thursday’s proceedings, citing medical treatment in the United Kingdom, former FBN managing director Olabisi Onasanya and other co-defendants were present in court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 13-count charge against Otudeko, Onasanya, former Honeywell board member Soji Akintayo and Anchorage Leisure Ltd. The charges include conspiracy, money laundering, and financial misappropriation.
The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), alleged that the defendants colluded to defraud First Bank Nigeria. The case is marked FHC/L/20C/2025.
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Otudeko absent, Onasanya present as judge adjourns N6.2bn fraud case to March 17
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NANÂ –
February 13, 2025
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned ruling on preliminary applications in the N6.2 billion fraud case involving Oba Otudeko, former chairman of First Bank Nigeria (FBN), and others, to March 17, 2025.
While Otudeko was absent from Thursday’s proceedings, citing medical treatment in the United Kingdom, former FBN managing director Olabisi Onasanya and other co-defendants were present in court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 13-count charge against Otudeko, Onasanya, former Honeywell board member Soji Akintayo and Anchorage Leisure Ltd. The charges include conspiracy, money laundering, and financial misappropriation.
The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), alleged that the defendants colluded to defraud First Bank Nigeria. The case is marked FHC/L/20C/2025.
At the resumed hearing, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), counsel for Otudeko, informed the court that his client had left Nigeria lawfully on January 16, 2025, for medical treatment in the UK. He argued that Otudeko’s absence was neither an attempt to abscond nor a disregard for the court’s authority.
Counsel for the EFCC countered, urging the court to order Otudeko’s presence at the next hearing. Oyedepo noted that the EFCC had complied with the court’s directive to serve the defendants by substituted means.
Other defence counsel, including Olasupo Shashore (SAN) for Onasanya, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN) for Akintayo and Ade Adedeji (SAN) for Anchorage Leisure Ltd., presented various applications challenging the court’s jurisdiction and seeking to quash the charges.
They argued that the court should address these objections before proceeding with the arraignment, emphasizing that hearing the defendants’ pleas to charges that might be invalidated would be prejudicial.
Oyedepo maintained that arraignment should proceed before addressing the applications, citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and relevant judicial precedents. He dismissed the defense’s arguments as an attempt to delay proceedings.
Justice Aneke adjourned the case to March 17, 2025, for a ruling on the preliminary objections and other applications.
