Security/Crime

Otudeko Absent From N12.3bn Fraud Hearing

By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja

The Chairman of Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko, alongside three others failed to appear before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, for their scheduled arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Their arraignment had initially been fixed for today, Monday Jan 20, but none of the defendants were present in court.

Otudeko and three others, former Managing Director of First Bank, Olabisi Onasanya, a former member of the board of directors of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Soji Akintayo, and a company linked to Otudeko, named Anchorage Leisure Ltd. allegedly committed fraud in tranches of N5.2 billion, N6.2 billion, N1.5 billion and N500 million, between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos.

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The defendants were however all represented by their respective counsels who told the court that they were not served with the court processes by the prosecuting agency, the EFCC.

But Olumide Fusika, SAN, announced his appearance for the second defendant and informed the court that he had a copy of the charge, which he printed online.

Also, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, announced his appearance for the third defendant, while Adeogun Philips, SAN, represented the fourth defendant.

Justice Aneke therefore wondered why all the defence counsels were in court if they claimed their clients had not been served.

In response, Olanipekun told the court that the media, on January 17, 2025, reported widely that defendants were to be arraigned on Monday but insisted that his client had not been served any charge.

Lead prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, told the court that efforts had been made to affect service on the defendants without success, adding that the prosecution had a motion for substituted service at the last known addresses of the defendants.

He also prayed the court to move his application which was granted.

After moving his application, counsel to the second defendant informed the court that he was willing to undertake service of the charge for his client, since he had already taken steps to print the same.

Following a directive by the court to issue service on the second defence counsel, who had indicated willingness to accept the same, the prosecutor handed Fusika a copy of the charge in court.

The court, consequently, adjourned the case till February 13, 2025 for arraignment of the defendants.

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