Counsel representing Oba Otudeko, Chairman of the Honeywell Group, facing a N12.3 billion fraud charge, appeared before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to protest the charge.
Bode Olanipekun, SAN his counsel informed the court that he was objecting because Otudeko and the other two individuals charged with him had not yet been served with the charge.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had brought the 13-count charge against Otudeko, the former Managing Director of First Bank Plc., Olabisi Onasanya and Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell.
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The charge was filed alongside a company, Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
In the charge labeled FHC/L/20C/2025, EFCC claims that the defendants fraudulently obtained funds from First Bank under false pretenses.
When the case was called on Monday, Olumide Fusika, SAN, appeared for Onasanya and told the court that he had received a copy of the charge.
Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, appeared on behalf of Akintayo and Adeogun Philips, SAN, represented the firm, also protesting that his client had not been served the charge.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke then asked whether all defence counsel confirmed that their clients had not been served with the charge.
In response, Olanipekun pointed out that, on January 17, media reports indicated that the defendants were scheduled for arraignment on Monday, calling it unjust to release such information when the charges had not been formally served.
Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, representing the prosecution, told the court that attempts to serve the charge had been unsuccessful.
Oyedepo mentioned that the prosecution had filed a motion for substituted service at the defendants’ last known addresses and moved the motion accordingly.
However, the second defense counsel indicated his willingness to personally ensure his client received the charge.
Following the court’s directive, the prosecution provided Fusika with a copy of the charge.
The case was subsequently adjourned to February 13 for the defendants’ arraignment.
As stated by EFCC, the defendants allegedly obtained the funds in stages in 2013 and 2014 in Lagos State.
The anti-corruption agency further claims that the defendants manipulated documents to deceive the bank.
The alleged offenses violate Section 8a of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006 and Sections 15, 2, 15, 3 and 18, c of the Money Laundering, Prohibition,Act 2011. They also breach Section 3, 6, of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 2004.
Crediblenewsng.com
